Having a surgery

In most cases, our patients are admitted to hospital on the eve of surgery and are then discharged home the day after surgery. Some eye surgeries can now be performed as day cases, which means you do not need to stay overnight in hospital before or after your procedure.

Pre-operative assessment

Before the day of your surgery, you will need to have a pre-operative assessment. This is a health check to make sure that you are fully prepared for your hospital admission, treatment and discharge. The assessment aims to ensure that you are fit and well prior to your surgery.

Pre-operative assessment includes:

  • physician or pediatrician appointment
  • otolaryngologist appointment
  • dentist appointment
  • electrocardiography
  • blood tests
  • clinical urine test
  • HIV test
  • Wassermann test
  • hepatitis B and С tests
  • chest photofluorography

When to have your pre-operative assessment

Your pre-operative assessment can take place either on the day that you are told you need surgery, or at a later date. It cannot take place on the day of surgery itself. The most results of the pre-operative assessment are valid for a period of one month. Results of HIV test, Wassermann test and hepatitis B and С tests are valid for a period of three months. Chest photofluorography is valid for a period of one year.

Preparing for your surgery

Preparing for your surgery will be slightly different depending on whether you are having your surgery under a local or a general anaesthetic.

If you are having a local anaesthetic, you can continue to eat and drink as normal and should take any medications as usual before your surgery, unless told otherwise by the nurse at your pre-assessment appointment. You will remain fully clothed during your surgery, but please wear a button-fastening top such as a shirt or blouse.

If you are having a general anaesthetic, you must have nothing to eat from 12.00 midnight on the morning of your surgery. You may drink clear water only (and no more than a maximum of 500mls) up to 6.00 am and nothing after that. You will need to change into an operating theatre gown prior to surgery, so you might want to bring a dressing gown with you. We also suggest that you bring a tooth brush and tooth paste to keep your mouth fresh while fasting.

Whether you are having a local or a general anaesthetic, please follow these instructions:

  • It would do no harm to bathe and wash your hair the day before your surgery, as you might be unable to do so for the first few days after surgery
  • Bring all of your medications and eye drops with you on the day of your surgery, as well as your spectacles or contact lenses with their cases and solutions, and a small toiletries bag if you would like to freshen up after your surgery
  • Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes
  • Do not wear makeup or jewellery

Hospitalization and surgery

On the eve of surgery, you will be admitted to a single ward, where a nurse will give you a full explanation of what will happen during your stay. Your surgeon will also come to see you to discuss and sign your consent for surgery form.

The day after the admission you will be taken to operating theatre for your surgery. The surgeons decide in which order to operate on patients, but sometimes this has to change during the course of the morning or afternoon. Please bear with us if we are unable to be exact about what time you will be going to operating theatre. Most eye surgeries are relatively quick to perform and typically last between 15 and 90 minutes.

After your surgery you will go back to your ward to spend the rest of the day. The next morning you will undergo several tests to evaluate surgical outcomes and eliminate complications after your surgery. Then, you will be examined by your surgeon and given advice regarding further treatment and follow-up appointment.

After discharge you may go home by public transport, but it is essential that you have an adult escorting you home.