Ophthalmology - Local Anaesthetic and Sedation Ophthalmic Pre-operative Advice

Operations under local anaesthetic

• You will be given a local anaesthetic, similar to what you have at the dentist for a filling or extraction
• Eat and drink as normal. Do not fast
• Please take your usual medication as normal on the day of your surgery and bring a list of your current medication with you
• If you are on anticoagulants you will already have been given specific instructions
• If you use inhalers or take medication for angina, please bring them with you when you attend

Operations under conscious sedation

You have been offered treatment under sedation in order to help you relax.
You will have the sedation agent administered through an injection in the back of your hand or arm. This is called intravenous sedation.

Once you feel drowsy and sufficiently relaxed, your eye will be numbed and we will start the procedure. During the procedure you may feel peaceful and largely unaware of what is going on. In fact, many patients do not remember all or part of their treatment.
At the end of the session you will be allowed to recover until you are fit enough to be discharged home with your escort.
 
Before you go home you will be observed in the department for a minimum of one hour and you will be given something to eat and drink.

Any illness occurring before the appointment should be reported immediately as this may affect your treatment.

It is essential you observe the following instructions, otherwise your operation may be cancelled.

• Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to your appointment
• Do not eat solid foods for six hours prior to your appointment. You may drink water up to two hours prior to your appointment
• Do not wear nail varnish. If you wear acrylic nails: one should be removed before you attend
• You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can escort you home afterwards and arrange for you to be looked after for 24 hours
• Your escort should take you home after treatment by private car or taxi and not by public transport
• Please take your usual medication as normal with a small amount of water on the day of surgery and bring a list of your current medication with you. You must omit diabetic medication but please bring it with you
• You must not drive any vehicle, operate machinery or use any domestic appliances for 24 hours after sedation
• You must not drink alcohol, return to work, make any important decisions or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after sedation

Please ask the nurse if there is anything you are unsure of.

Contact Details

The Royal Oldham Hospital
A&E department – 0161 627 8923 Friday 5pm until Monday 9am
Oldham Integrated Care Centre Eye Clinic - 0161 357 5101 Monday – Friday 9.30 am - 4.30pm

Rochdale Infirmary, Rochdale Eye Clinic – 01706 517109
Monday - Thursday between 9am and 5pm. Friday 9am and 12.30pm
Eye Ward – 01706 901766
Urgent Care Centre – 01706 517005
After 8pm Monday to Friday. Friday 8pm to Monday 9am

Fairfield Hospital, Bury
Eye Outpatients Clinic - 0161 778 2804
Accident & Emergency – 0161 778 2600
After 8pm Monday to Friday. Friday 8pm until Monday 8am