The evening before cataract surgery is your chance to prepare calmly and methodically. This checklist turns clinical instructions into simple, actionable steps covering fasting, medications, eye drops, hygiene, clothing, and logistics. Following your surgeon’s specific plan, especially for fasting and medicines, supports safe anesthesia and a smooth recovery.
Start by confirming your arrival time, your ride home, and any last-minute instructions from your care team. A ride is required when sedation is used. Remove all eye makeup, and avoid lotions, perfumes, and aftershave on your face and neck. Choose loose, front-button clothing for the morning and set it aside. Prepare a small bag with your photo ID, medication list, and sunglasses for the trip home.
Follow your surgeon’s exact fasting instructions. At St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, Dr. Lee’s patients must have nothing by mouth 6 hours prior to surgery, with the exception of a small sip of water for medications. Patients of Drs. Gills, Wipfli, and Rodriguez may eat a light meal prior to surgery unless directed otherwise. Avoid alcohol the evening before because it can affect anesthesia and hydration.
Take essential morning medicines as instructed by your team with a small sip of water unless told otherwise. We do not advise patients to adjust their diabetes medications, but your blood sugar must be below 250 on the day of surgery for Drs. Gills, Wipfli, and Rodriguez, and below 300 for Dr. Lee.
Do not stop blood thinners or antiplatelets unless recommended by your surgeon and your prescribing clinician agrees. Routine pre-op lab testing is generally not needed for low-risk cataract surgery unless indicated by your medical history or exam findings.
At St. Luke’s, our surgeons typically do not start drops before surgery. You will be provided with a post-op drop schedule on the day of your surgery. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and ask any questions before you leave the surgical center.
Wear loose, front-opening tops and slip-on shoes. Leave jewelry and hair products off, and remove all eye makeup the night before. Do not apply facial moisturizers, sunscreen, or beard oils near the operative eye area. Comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing makes the pre-op process smoother and reduces contamination risk around the surgical site.
At St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, we use a streamlined “one-stop” pathway where your consultation, consent, measurements, and planning occur in a single visit. This efficient approach means fewer trips to our office while ensuring you receive comprehensive care. During this visit, we’ll perform optical biometry and keratometry to select the best lens for your vision goals. Your care team will walk you through every step and answer all your questions during this appointment.
Plan a calm evening, prepare your outfit and bag, and set two alarms to ensure you wake on time. Meal prep for the first 24 to 48 hours can reduce next-day workload and let you focus on recovery. Avoid stimulating activities late in the evening, and consider gentle relaxation techniques like deep breathing if you feel anxious. Remember, cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures, and your surgical team has helped thousands of patients through this exact experience.
Use this scannable list to make sure you’re ready. Print it out or save it to your phone for easy reference.
A calm, prepared evening reduces day-of stress and supports safe anesthesia and smooth recovery. Follow your team’s specific plan, especially for fasting and medicines, and don’t hesitate to call with questions. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures performed today. Good preparation tonight sets the stage for the best possible outcome tomorrow.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by the ophthalmology team at St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute in Florida. For personalized advice about your eye health and cataract risk, please consult with a qualified eye care professional.
We proudly serve patients at our eye clinics in Tarpon Springs, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Spring Hill, Wesley Chapel and in The Villages at Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood. Our philosophy is to treat those we serve as though they are a member of our own families. From the first phone call or email to the follow-up visit and beyond, we’re here to serve you. Our goal is to help preserve and optimize your vision.
