What Should I Expect During My Cataract Surgery?

Baptist Eye Surgeons • February 17, 2021

Cataract surgery may be the most common form of surgery performed in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that you know exactly what to expect. As with any surgical procedure, being prepared for what’s going to happen is the best way to alleviate any fears that you may have.

Your surgeon will decide if you’re ready for cataract surgery. The procedure occurs under local anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain. Using a laser or ultrasound device, your surgeon will break up the cataract, remove it, and replace it with a new lens. Make sure to follow all of your doctor’s orders before surgery. 

Do I Qualify for Cataract Surgery?

Not everyone who has a cataract will qualify for surgery early on. This is due to the fact that cataracts can take years to develop, allowing for other treatments to be used beforehand. These treatments are much less invasive than surgery and can give you and your healthcare team time to plan your treatment.

Non-surgical treatments for cataracts include:

  • A new prescription for contacts or glasses
  • Anti-glare glasses or sunglasses
  • Brighter lighting to make it easier to see
  • Magnifying glasses to help see small print and finer detail

Keep in mind that these treatments won’t reverse the effects of your cataract. Instead, they prolong treatment and allow the cataract to mature. As it matures, the cataract will develop to the point where a new prescription, less glare, better lighting, or seeing more closely will no longer help. 

It’s at this point that you will likely qualify for cataract surgery. Once fully matured, cataracts can interfere with daily tasks that used to be easy, such as reading small print. Tasks like driving at night can also become much more difficult, making surgery all the more necessary. 

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

The purpose of cataract surgery is to remove your clouded lens from your eye and replace it with a new one, known as an intraocular lens . The new lens gives your eye a newly unobstructed view that’s free of any clouding. It gives you the ability to safely resume daily tasks as well as return to the active lifestyle that you’ve worked hard to cultivate.

You will be awake throughout the procedure. However, you will be given a local anesthetic before surgery which will numb your eye to ensure that you’re relaxed and won’t feel any pain. However, some patients have reported feeling a slight pressure during the operation. Fortunately, this pressure isn’t painful, and not every patient experiences it.

Your surgeon will begin the operation by making a small incision along the side of the cornea. The incision will heal on its own and doesn’t require stitches. Next, the clouded lens is broken up using an ultrasound device. These pieces are gently removed with suction and replaced by the new intraocular lens. Once that’s completed, your surgeon will place a protective shield over your eye to help avoid any complications during the early healing phase.

You won’t have to wear a protective shield over both eyes if both have cataracts. In this situation, your surgeon will stagger the operations by one to three weeks so that the first eye is safely functioning before the next surgery. This also helps you live a normal life with one eye still fully functioning while the other one recovers from surgery. 

How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

While cataract surgery may be the most common surgical procedure performed in the United States, that doesn’t make it any less of a mental burden. It’s important to know that our team of experienced surgeons will be with you every step of the way, from consultation to operation to recovery. 

It also helps to know what you can do to ensure the best possible outcome for yourself. Fortunately, there is a simple list of dos and don’ts to put your mind at ease and have full confidence in the procedure.

Dos

  • Use all prescribed eye drops as directed
  • Pick up your post-surgical eye drops before your surgery
  • Wear a comfortable button-up with no undershirt
  • Bring a friend or family member who can drive you home
  • Notify your doctor of any recent health changes, such as illness or other surgeries

Don’ts

  • Don’t use any tobacco products after midnight before surgery
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight if your surgery is before noon
  • If your surgery is after noon, only drink clear liquids until 7 a.m. the day of your surgery
  • Don’t wear jewelry, makeup, nail polish, hairspray, or any valuables with you
  • Don’t take insulin or oral diabetic medicine the morning of surgery

Medications for your heart, seizures, and stomach medications are okay. Just make sure that you wash them down with just a sip of water.

Want to know more about cataract surgery, what it is and how to prepare? Download our ebook, The Complete Guide to Cataract Surgery Guide , to learn everything you need to know about the procedure!

Most patients become eligible for cataract surgery once treatments such as new eyewear prescriptions and magnifying glasses no longer work. The procedure involves breaking up the cataract with a laser or ultrasound device and replacing the lens with a new, intraocular lens. Make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions to help ensure that your cataract surgery goes as smoothly as possible. Make sure to check out our next blog where we discuss what to expect following your cataract surgery.

Would you like to know more about cataract eye surgery and what to expect? If so, contact us today and schedule a consultation.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What to Expect During Your First Eye Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

September 22, 2026
A thorough eye exam is an important part of keeping your vision healthy and protecting your eyes. If you are arranging for your first eye examination as an adult, if you are taking a child in for an evaluation, or if you have noticed any changes in your vision, knowing what to expect can help make the experience more comfortable. The eye exams carried out at Baptist Eye Surgeons not only check your vision but also look at your general eye health and spot any possible problems that might call for further investigation. What is the Importance of Eye Examinations? An eye examination does not merely enable one to find out if glasses or contact lenses are required. It lets an eye care professional assess how well your eyes are working and spot the signs of common eye conditions.  Some eye conditions can progress slowly without symptoms. Regular eye checkups can help detect changes earlier and make sure you receive appropriate treatment when needed. Step by step: The Process Involved in Having an Eye Examination Even though the different appointments may vary according to your particular needs, a typical full eye examination will involve a number of significant steps. 1. An Examination of Your Medical & Eye History Your appointment may start with questions about your vision, medical history, medications, any previous eye conditions, and your family history of eye disease. Be sure to report any changes in your vision, eye discomfort, headaches, or other concerns you have noticed. Your eye care professional may also ask about the glasses or contact lenses you currently use and how well they work for you. 2. Checking Your Vision A well-known part of an eye examination is the visual acuity test. You might be asked to read some letters or symbols from a chart at a set distance. This lets doctors assess how clearly you can see and decide whether corrective lenses would help. Further testing could assess your ability to see up close and the way well your eyes work together. 3. The Measurement of Eye Health & Function Your eye care professional might carry out a number of tests in order to assess the health and functioning of your eyes. The tests involved may vary depending on your age, symptoms, and risk factors and could include measuring eye pressure, examining eye movement and coordination, and looking at the structures at the front and back of the eye. They can help spot possible signs of eye disorders. 4. Discussing Your Results Your ophthalmologist will review the results with you after the examination. If your vision has changed, they may suggest new prescription lenses. If they spot an eye condition or another issue, they could recommend further testing, further monitoring, or treatment. It is also a good chance to ask questions regarding your eye health and the recommended follow-up care. What Should You do to Get Ready for your First Eye Examination? Having an eye examination usually involves nothing complicated. It is a good idea to take with you your present glasses or contact lens details and to be ready to give a list of any medications as well as any applicable medical or family history. Additionally, it might be helpful to remember any vision changes or symptoms you have had. Dilation may occur during the examination if certain tests are performed. After dilation has been advised, your vision might be temporarily blurred or more sensitive to light. Supporting Healthy Vision The initial eye examination is a valuable chance to determine a baseline for your eye health and understand your specific vision needs. Regular eye exams help monitor changes over time and support early detection of possible eye conditions. Plan a visit with an eye care professional if you have discovered any changes in your vision or if you're due for a check-up.

Children’s Vision Milestones: What Parents Should Watch For

August 28, 2026
Healthy vision is essential for a child's development, learning, and daily activities. From recognizing faces in infancy to reading, participating in sports, and navigating school, children depend on their eyesight to interpret and relate to their environment. Knowing typical vision milestones helps parents spot possible issues and seek appropriate care when needed. How Does Vision Develop in Children? Vision develops rapidly during the first years of life. Newborns perceive light, shapes, and nearby objects, although their vision remains immature. As children mature, their capacity to focus, track moving objects, recognize details, and coordinate both eyes improves progressively. Due to the gradual nature of visual development, regular eye examinations are essential. Certain childhood vision problems may not be readily apparent, especially when one eye is stronger than the other. Although each child develops at an individual pace, several general vision milestones may guide parental observation. 1. Infants: Birth to 12 Months Within the first year, infants typically develop the ability to focus on faces and objects, visually track moving items, and reach for objects they observe. Caregivers may also observe infants responding to known faces and visually exploring their environment. If an infant does not track objects, exhibits eyes that frequently cross or wander, or fails to respond visually to people or objects, these concerns should be discussed with a pediatrician or eye care professional. 2. Toddlers: Ages 1 to 3 As children become more active, their visual skills continue to develop. Toddlers rely on vision to walk, climb, manipulate small objects, and interact with toys. Over time, they typically improve in identifying familiar people and objects and in coordinating eye and hand movements. Frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting close to screens, or difficulty seeing objects could indicate the need for an eye exam. 3. Preschool and School-Age Children By preschool and early elementary school, children utilize vision for detailed activities including coloring, drawing, letter recognition, reading, and participating in games. Effective eye coordination and focusing abilities support learning and classroom performance. Children may not always realize their vision differs from other children’s, so parents should watch for signs such as headaches, avoiding reading, losing their place while reading, holding books unusually close, or struggling to see the board. Signs of Possible Vision Problems Caregivers should monitor for changes in a child's vision or behavior. Potential warning signs include: Frequent squinting or eye rubbing Eyes that cross, wander, or do not move together Complaints of blurry or double vision Frequent headaches Difficulty reading or concentrating Sitting very close to a television or screen Tilting or turning the head to see Covering or closing one eye Difficulty recognizing objects or seeing at a distance Avoiding activities that require close or distance vision If you notice these signs, speak with a pediatrician or eye care professional. The Importance of Children’s Eye Exams Regular eye examinations can identify vision problems before they interfere with learning and development. Eye care professionals assess visual acuity, binocular coordination, and common childhood eye conditions. Early detection matters because some vision problems are easier to address when identified in childhood. Parents must follow their child’s healthcare provider's recommendations for vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams. Helping Protect Your Child’s Vision Caregivers can promote healthy vision by encouraging beneficial habits. These include spending time outdoors, taking regular screen breaks, using appropriate protective eyewear during activities, maintaining a balanced diet, and attending recommended pediatric and eye care appointments. Supporting Healthy Vision at Every Age Knowing children's vision milestones helps caregivers distinguish typical development and spot possible issues early. Throughout infancy and the school years, monitoring how a child sees, focuses, and interacts with their environment is vital for supporting healthy development.  If you notice concerns about a child's eyesight or alterations in vision, consult a healthcare provider or eye care professional. Early attention to vision supports learning, development, confidence, and overall quality of life.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health

July 29, 2026
Diabetes affects various parts of the body, including your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control is not just good for your health overall, but it also helps protect your eyesight. Over time, high blood sugar can irritate the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of serious eye problems. Knowing how diabetes and eye health are linked can help you identify issues and take measures to protect your sight. How Does Diabetes Affect Eye Health? When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and helps you see. Damaged blood vessels might leak fluid, swell, or change how well the retina works. Diabetic eye problems usually develop slowly, so you might not pick up on any changes in your vision until significant damage has occurred. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if their eyesight seems fine. Common Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes People with diabetes are more likely to have certain eye problems. Finding and treating these issues early can lower the chance of losing vision permanently. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that happens when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. These damaged vessels may leak fluid, which may cause blurry vision, dark spots, or changes in how you see. In advanced cases, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to serious problems. If diabetic retinopathy worsens, new abnormal blood vessels can grow, causing serious problems, including vision loss. Getting regular eye exams can help catch these changes early, before they become severe. When fluid is retained in the macula (part of the retina which focuses on sharp central vision), this swelling can make it harder to read, recognize faces, or see fine details clearly. When detected early, treatments can help reduce swelling and protect your eyesight. 3. Cataracts People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting cataracts early. Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, which can cause blurry vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing clearly. While cataracts come with age, having diabetes can make them appear sooner or progress quicker. 4. Glaucoma Diabetes can also raise your risk for glaucoma, which is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve. Glaucoma usually starts without any clear symptoms, but if it is not treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Routine regular eye exams are important for finding glaucoma early and keeping your eyes healthy Diabetes-related eye problems might not cause symptoms at first. Still, there are some warning signs you should look out for: • Blurry or distorted vision • Difficulty focusing • Dark spots, floaters, or shadows in your sight • Increased sensitivity to glare • Trouble seeing colors clearly • Sudden alterations in vision • Partial or complete loss of vision If you notice sudden vision changes, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Value of Regular Eye Exams for People With Diabetes Getting a full eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision if you have diabetes. During the examination, your physician will study your retina, look for symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and track any changes over time. Many eye problems linked to diabetes can be treated more easily if they are found early. Regular checkups help your eye doctor give you advice that fits your own eye health and diabetes care. Protecting Your Eyes When You Have Diabetes Looking after your general health is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some things you can do to protect your vision: • Keeping blood sugar levels under control • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol • Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams • Following your diabetes treatment plan • Eating a balanced diet that promotes eye health • Avoiding smoking, which increases the risk of eye complications Prioritizing Your Vision and Eye Health Diabetes and eye health are closely linked, but you can lower your risk of serious vision problems by taking action early. Getting regular eye exams, making healthy choices, and managing your diabetes all help protect your eyesight. If you have diabetes, seeing your eye doctor regularly can help catch changes early and keep your vision clear for the future. Your eyes are a key part of your health, so make caring for them a priority at every age.