Common Questions
Does the Surgery Hurt?
It's natural to be apprehensive about procedures on your eyes. Most eye surgery patients treated by Dr. Mahootchi receive a mild, short-acting sedative just before the procedure. You are very relaxed.
We also have an IV-free alternative! A mixture of medicines to relax you is placed under the tongue. No IV is necessary for 95% of patients.
We have multiple options for almost any type of patient. Either way, our patients are relaxed without being completely knocked out or requiring life support. This allows the patients to go home within minutes of completing the surgery.
The same type of numbing eye drops commonly used in eye clinics are used at the surgery center. However, these numbing drops last longer.
More anxious patients may elect to "block the eye." This prevents the eye from moving or seeing during the procedure. If you need a block, you will need to wear tape over the eye for about two hours afterwards. This type of anesthesia is rarely needed.
We also have an IV-free alternative! A mixture of medicines to relax you is placed under the tongue. No IV is necessary for 95% of patients.
We have multiple options for almost any type of patient. Either way, our patients are relaxed without being completely knocked out or requiring life support. This allows the patients to go home within minutes of completing the surgery.
The same type of numbing eye drops commonly used in eye clinics are used at the surgery center. However, these numbing drops last longer.
More anxious patients may elect to "block the eye." This prevents the eye from moving or seeing during the procedure. If you need a block, you will need to wear tape over the eye for about two hours afterwards. This type of anesthesia is rarely needed.
Do I need to stop my blood thinners?
No. For routine cataract surgery, stopping aspirin, Plavix, Xarelto, or Coumadin is unnecessary. In fact, changing your other routine medicines (including diabetic medicine) is not necessary.
For glaucoma or lid surgery, the blood thinners should be stopped as coordinated between Dr. Mahootchi and the prescribing doctor.
For glaucoma or lid surgery, the blood thinners should be stopped as coordinated between Dr. Mahootchi and the prescribing doctor.
Can I drive home after the procedure?
Not a good idea. We forbid our patients from driving home after anesthesia. It can take a few hours for the brain to adjust to the new vision. Judgment and reaction time can also be impaired. Don't put yourself or others at risk. You must bring a driver with you to your cataract surgery.
Do I need to have an empty stomach before surgery?
No. You can eat a light breakfast up to one hour before surgery at our facility. However, to avoid having to go to the bathroom during the surgery, we suggest no caffeine or dairy products that day.
Can I wear my makeup to the surgery center?
Please do not wear eye makeup or mascara, false eyelashes, or lash extensions. Wash your face clean before arriving.
I can't lie flat. Is that a problem?
With our special beds and equipment, we can work around most positional problems. For patients with chronic back pain, we have several techniques that can relieve pressure on the back. For patients who get short of breath easily, we can usually adjust the neck and back position to make the surgery possible.
Can I wear my sleep apnea mask after the surgery?
We recommend not wearing pressurized sleep apnea masks for a few nights after the surgery. These devices can blow dirty air into the eye! If you must wear them, let us know so we can make surgical adjustments.
Should I stop my other drops, like artificial tears or glaucoma drops, while using my cataract surgery drops?
No. In fact, stopping dry eye drops can slow your healing down. Glaucoma medications should be continued unless we tell you to stop. Cataract surgery treats the cataract and not glaucoma directly. Many elegant procedures can be performed at the time of cataract surgery to reduce or eliminate drops. In fact, most of our patients are glaucoma drop-free and glasses-free after surgery with us.
Often, glaucoma surgery can be combined with cataract surgery so that fewer or no drops are necessary after the surgery. Ask Dr. Mahootchi if these options are right for you.
Often, glaucoma surgery can be combined with cataract surgery so that fewer or no drops are necessary after the surgery. Ask Dr. Mahootchi if these options are right for you.
Can I drive the next day?
You will usually see better after surgery without glasses in the eye that had the surgery. We take out the lens on that side of your glasses (usually) to make the best use of both eyes the next day. Of course, one should use good judgment, and if you don't feel you are seeing well enough to drive, then don't. But most people usually have no problem driving the next day.
When can I play golf?
The next day. In general, you can do anything that doesn't involve the risk of getting something in your eye. So, no weed-eating, racquetball, or mowing the lawn for a while. Also, heavy lifting should be limited to objects under 30 pounds for a few days.
Can I swim after the surgery?
You can get in water, but you should avoid putting your head under water for 2-3 weeks after cataract surgery.
When can I shower after cataract surgery?
The next day is fine. It probably is a good idea to wash your hair in a way that the water falls to the back of your head and not over your eyes.
When can I go to a beauty salon after cataract surgery?
The next day.