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.

Night Vision Problems: Causes and When to See an Eye Doctor

June 30, 2026
Night vision problems can make everyday activities like driving at dusk, walking in poorly lit places, or adjusting to indoor lighting harder and sometimes unsafe. Trouble seeing in low light, called nyctalopia, is not a disease itself but a sign that something else may be affecting your eyes. Learning what causes night vision problems and when to get help is important for keeping your vision healthy. What Are Night Vision Problems? Night vision problems mean it is hard to see clearly in low light or darkness. Some people notice their eyes take longer to adjust when going from bright to dim places. Others may have trouble with glare from headlights, seeing less contrast, or things just looking dimmer at night. Mild changes in night vision can happen as you get older, but if your symptoms keep getting worse or do not go away, you should pay attention to them. Common Causes of Night Vision Difficulties There are several potential causes of night vision problems. Night vision problems can have many causes, from getting older to certain eye conditions, such as lens problems, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 1. Cataracts Cataracts cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 2. Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A is important for keeping your retina healthy. If you do not get enough vitamin A, your eyes may have trouble adjusting to darkness, which can lead to night blindness. 3. Glaucoma Some types of glaucoma can affect your side vision and make it harder to see differences between light and dark. As the optic nerve gets damaged, seeing in low light can become more difficult. 4. Retinitis Pigmentosa This inherited eye condition slowly affects your ability to see at night and to the sides. Early signs often include trouble seeing in the dark. 5. Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Diabetic retinopathy can harm the blood vessels in your retina, which may cause blurry vision and make it harder to see at night. 6. Aging and Pupil Changes As people get older, their pupils do not react to light changes as quickly, and the retina becomes less sensitive. This naturally makes night vision worse over time. Symptoms to Watch For Night vision problems often develop slowly. Some common signs are: Difficulty seeing in low light or darkness Trouble driving at night due to glare from headlights Longer adjustment time when moving between light and dark environments Reduced contrast or clarity in dim settings Frequent squinting or eye strain in low light If these symptoms start to affect your daily life, it is a good idea to get a full eye check-up. When to See an Eye Doctor You should see an eye doctor if you notice new night vision problems, if they are getting worse, or if you have other changes in your vision. The doctor can run tests to find out what is causing the problem and suggest the right treatment. A full eye exam might include checking your retina, testing your field of vision, and taking images to look at your eye health. Finding problems early is very important for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and retinal disorders, because early treatment can help protect your vision. Protecting Your Night Vision Not all causes of night vision loss can be prevented, but taking care of your eyes can lower your risk and help you see better. Some helpful steps are: Scheduling regular eye exams Handling chronic health conditions like diabetes Eating a diet rich in vitamin A and antioxidants Wearing proper corrective lenses if prescribed Avoiding driving with untreated vision changes Prioritizing Your Eye Health Night vision problems can be an early sign of eye disease. Since many eye problems develop slowly, having regular eye exams is one of the best ways to catch changes early and keep your vision healthy for the long term. If you have trouble seeing at night or notice any changes in your vision, making an appointment for an eye exam can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear in all types of light.
Understanding Eye Pressure: What It Means for Glaucoma Risk

Understanding Eye Pressure: What It Means for Glaucoma Risk

June 1, 2026
Understanding eye pressure, or intraocular pressure (IOP), is important for protecting your vision. IOP considerably affects the development and progression...
How Your Diet Impacts Eye Health: Foods That Support Vision

How Your Diet Impacts Eye Health: Foods That Support Vision

April 12, 2026
Your diet influences more than just general wellness; it also helps protect your eyesight. At Baptist Eye Surgeons, we take a forward-looking approach to eye...