Knowing what to expect on the day of cataract surgery reduces anxiety and helps you prepare practically. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward the day is — it is a day procedure with no overnight stay, and the majority of patients notice meaningful vision improvement within hours of returning home.
Before You Arrive
In the days before surgery, you will receive detailed pre-operative instructions from Northern Eye Consultants. These typically include:
- Eye drops to start — you may be asked to commence antibiotic drops one to two days before surgery
- Fasting instructions — nil by mouth (no food or water) from midnight before a morning list, or from an appropriate time for an afternoon list. Check your specific instructions.
- What to bring — Medicare card, private health insurance card, your regular medications, and glasses if you wear them
- Admission time — Northpark Hospital will confirm your arrival time separately. You will typically be asked to arrive 1–2 hours before your scheduled surgery time.
On the morning of surgery: take your regular medications with a small sip of water unless told otherwise. Do not wear eye makeup. Remove contact lenses. Arrange for someone to drive you home — you cannot drive on the day of surgery.
Arrival at Northpark Hospital, Bundoora
Northpark Private Hospital is located at 135 Plenty Road, Bundoora — at the northern end of the La Trobe University campus, approximately 15km north of the Melbourne CBD. There is ample car parking on-site. Check in at the hospital admissions desk on arrival. Staff will verify your identity, complete admission paperwork, and direct you to the pre-operative area.
Pre-operative Preparation
In the pre-operative area, a nurse will:
- Confirm which eye is being operated on and apply a mark to identify it
- Instil dilating eye drops to enlarge your pupil — this takes approximately 30–45 minutes and is essential for the surgeon's view during the procedure
- Apply antiseptic and commence your pre-operative drop sequence
- Insert an intravenous cannula if sedation is planned
- Complete a medical history review and allergy check
You will meet the anaesthetist, who will discuss your anaesthetic plan. The vast majority of cataract surgeries are performed under topical local anaesthesia — numbing eye drops — with a light intravenous sedative to help you relax. You remain awake and responsive throughout. General anaesthesia is used only when patients cannot cooperate with local anaesthesia.
The Procedure
The cataract surgery itself takes approximately 15–20 minutes. In the operating room:
- You will lie flat under bright operating lights. A pillow supports your head.
- Antiseptic solution is applied around the eye. A sterile drape covers your face with a small clear opening over the eye.
- Anaesthetic drops numb the eye completely. You should feel no pain — you may experience brief sensations of pressure or blurring at certain moments.
- The microscope light is very bright; some patients describe seeing colours or patterns. This is normal.
- I will talk you through key steps during the procedure so you are not surprised.
The cloudy natural lens is gently emulsified with ultrasound and removed through a tiny self-sealing incision of approximately 2.4mm. Your chosen intraocular lens is then folded and inserted through the same incision, where it unfolds and positions itself in the lens capsule. No sutures are required in most cases.
Recovery Room
After the procedure, you move to a recovery area where nursing staff monitor you for approximately 30–60 minutes. A clear plastic shield is placed over the operated eye for protection. You will be offered a light snack and drink. Before discharge, the nurse will explain your post-operative eye drop regimen and provide written instructions. Your follow-up appointment time — usually the morning after surgery — will be confirmed.
Going Home and the First 24 Hours
You will be discharged with a clear eye shield to wear at night (to prevent accidental rubbing during sleep), your prescribed eye drops, and written instructions. You need someone to drive you home.
In the first 24–48 hours, you may notice:
- Mild grittiness or foreign body sensation — normal, resolves within 1–2 days
- Blurred vision initially clearing through the day — most patients notice significant improvement by the evening of surgery
- Increased light sensitivity — wear sunglasses outdoors
- Some redness of the white of the eye — fades over 1–2 weeks
Things to avoid in the first 4 weeks: swimming, hot tubs, rubbing or pressing the eye, heavy lifting or strenuous exercise (first 2 weeks), and eye makeup until cleared by Dr MacIntyre. Most patients return to desk work, reading, and watching television within 1–2 days.