Undergoing any kind of surgery can be a daunting experience. Typically, eye surgeries tend to be overlooked compared to surgeries that involve the body and organs. This could be due to the frequency in which these surgeries are performed, with eye surgeries occurring less often. While less emphasis may be placed on eye surgeries, this should not be the case as our eyes are perhaps the most important sense, allowing us to perform daily tasks seamlessly. It is recommended to conduct research beforehand, or better yet, get professional advice from your eye specialist to ease your worries. As such, we have compiled a few crucial questions to ask your eye specialist before undergoing any kind of eye surgery.
What are the Risks and Side Effects Involved in this Surgery?
The adage ‘ignorance is bliss’ certainly does not ring true when it comes to something as major as eye surgery. Though risks and side effects have negative connotations surrounding them, having a deeper understanding of such factors may be just what you need to give you greater peace of mind. For instance, cataract surgery has a success rate of 99% and complications are rare. For those undergoing cataract surgery, knowing this statistic can make the procedure less frightening. In addition, being aware of the potential side effects prior, not only prepares you, it minimises any doubts when you experience them after the surgery. You may not feel the need to contact your eye specialist as much, knowing that certain side effects are supposed to happen.
How Long will Recovery Take?
Knowing when you can get back to your daily life and tasks is an important query eye specialists in Singapore should be able to answer. It enables you to prepare yourself for normalcy again after a potentially long rest and allows you to gauge if something is awry – for example, if you are not recovering within the timeline suggested by your eye specialist. In this way, you can acquire help before your condition worsens. It is important to note that recovery may also be affected by how well you care for eyes post-surgery. Are there activities you have to put on hold while recovering? What can or can you not do during this period? Remember to ask such questions and adhere to your eye specialist’s advice for a smoother recovery process.
How is the Surgery Performed?
Most might not enquire about surgery procedures, believing it to be too technical. However, a good eye specialist will be able to break down what your eye surgery entails in a manner that is easy for you to understand. Conjuring up scary untruths becomes easy without the facts and it is often the fear of the unknown that intimidates us. Having greater clarity on how your surgery will be performed can provide you with the assurance that things are not as bad as you imagine them to be. Moreover, getting your eye specialist to explain such technicalities to you demonstrates their expertise, further convincing you that you are in good hands.
Are there any Pre-surgery Preparations?
Some eye surgeries require pre-surgery preparations. For instance, your eye specialist in Singapore may prescribe eye drops to you beforehand with instructions on how often you should be using them before surgery. Smoking, drinking alcohol or wearing contacts may also be advised against and fasting or avoiding certain medications may also be required. It is vital for you to listen and adhere to these recommendations to ensure a safer, more seamless procedure and a smoother recovery process.
Above are just some of the many questions you should ask your eye specialist before any eye surgery. Ultimately, with all the information you need at your fingertips, you can undergo your surgery with less apprehension and more confidence.
Nova Eye Centre is an eye clinic in Singapore with a range of eye care solutions catered to different conditions. Should you have any queries, feel free to contact us today and our eye specialists will get back to you.
