Most eye operations can now be performed as day cases, which means you do not need to stay overnight in hospital before or after your procedure. Instead, you are admitted to hospital in the morning, operated on during the day and are then discharged home in the afternoon or early evening.
You will remain fully clothed during your operation, but please wear a button-fastening top such as a shirt or blouse.
You should expect to be in hospital for between three and six hours if you are having your operation under local anaesthetic, or between five and eight hours if you having your operation under general anaesthetic, depending how quickly you recover from the anaesthetic.
f you are coming for an outpatient or day case appointment, please bring a list of your current medicines, such as your repeat prescription list or medication reminder charts. Medicines and remedies we would like to know about include:
Letting us know which medicines you take also means we can check that they are still suitable for you. Our pharmacists are on hand to offer advice about all of the medicines and remedies you are taking.
We want to make sure that you fully understand your condition and the choices of treatment available to you. Before you receive any treatment, a doctor, nurse, therapist or pharmacist can help you:
Please ask as many questions as you like. The most important thing is that you understand the treatment you are being offered.
On arrival, you will be admitted to one of our single-sex day care wards, 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. Once surgery has started for the morning or afternoon, the surgeons are not usually able to leave the operating theatre. Therefore, please ensure that you arrive at the specified time so that there is time for your surgeon to talk to you before your operation.
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 theatre.
You will be offered refreshments in the morning and afternoon and a sandwich for either lunch or tea, depending on your operation and which sort of anaesthetic you are having.
You will be taken to one of our operating theatres for your operation. If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to change into a theatre gown and might have to remove your dentures if you wear them. If you having a local anaesthetic, you remain in your own clothes. Most eye operations are relatively quick to perform and typically last between 30 and 90 minutes.
After your operation, we like to keep you in for at least an hour to ensure there are no problems. Before you leave, a nurse or doctor might need to examine you, and your medications will need to be dispensed from the pharmacy. This sometimes takes longer than anticipated so we recommend you make alternative arrangements for work, childcare, and so on. We will try to keep you informed about any delays and how long these might last.
You will be given your drops, eye shield and follow-up appointment following your final discharge. Please note that some types of surgery require patients to return the following morning for review.
You may go home by public transport, but it is essential that you have an adult escorting you home.
Please ask as many questions as you want about your care, treatment, what is happening during your stay or what happens once you go home. If you have any concerns or uncertainties, please ask to speak to the ward sister, the nurse in charge or the surgical matron during your visit.
Recommended items
We recommend that you wear loose, comfortable day clothes and flat shoes during your visit.
Additional optional items
Your time at the hospital might involve long periods of waiting, for example, the time between tests or treatments. You may want to bring items that will help you pass the time.
But please do not bring:
Before your procedure you should remember to:
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 operation, unless told otherwise by the nurse at your pre-assessment appointment.
If you are advised not to eat:
Should you not follow these instructions, it could affect the anaesthetic process and your operation may be cancelled.
Please attend appointments alone, unless you need a carer, and arrive no more than 15 minutes ahead of your appointment. For patients coming in for surgical procedures, we ask that if you need someone with you, that they drop you off and pick you up from the ward but do not stay in the hospital unless absolutely necessary.
You may use your mobile phone at Moorfields, but please check with a member of staff that it is safe to do so if you are on a ward or in an area with sensitive medical equipment as mobiles can cause interference. Please also respect other patients and try to keep your voice down when talking on your mobile.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Moorfields’ premises, including at entrances. Please respect other visitors and move well away from our grounds if you want to smoke.