• Reference Number: HEY-685/2023
• Departments: Ophthalmology Department
• Last Updated: 1 September 2023

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your assessment prior to surgery.  Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet/booklet.  It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor, but may act as a starting point for discussion.   If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.

What is eye surgery?

Eye surgery is carried out on different parts of the eyelids, eye ball and eye muscles. There are many types of operation carried out for a variety of reasons.

Most eye surgery is usually carried out under a local anaesthetic but for some operations a general anaesthetic is required.

Why do I need an assessment?

You have been placed on the waiting list for an operation on your eye/s.

The aim of the assessment is to ensure that you are fit to safely undergo the operation and anesthetic and to check that your condition has not changed since your name was added to the waiting list.

Can there be any complications or risks?

Detailed information about the risk and benefits of your specific operation will have been discussed prior to you going on the waiting list and you will have been given the relevant information leaflet for your surgery at that time. It is essential that you read this information before you attend for your assessment clinic visit.

We will be happy to discuss any concerns with you when you attend for your assessment.

How do I prepare for the assessment?

The purpose of the visit is to complete all the relevant tests and documentation required to determine if you are fit and well enough for the surgery. This visit may take up to 2 hours.

• During this clinic visit your vision will be checked. Please bring your current distance and reading glasses and a copy of your glasses prescription if you have one.
• Details of your medical history, current medications and any allergies will be recorded. Please bring your medications with you or a copy of your prescription.
• You may then see the ophthalmic doctor who will examine your eyes and discuss their findings with you.
• The nurses will discuss with you what to expect when you have your surgery and what aftercare is required.
• You will have measurements taken of your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight and urine.
• Depending on your medical history, you may need to have some blood tests and a heart tracing (ECG) performed.
• If there are any concerns over the results of these tests, you will be asked to consult your GP for treatment or you may require further assessments from the Anesthetist to ensure your fitness for surgery.

What will happen?

The Eye Hospital is situated in Fountain Street off Anlaby Road. A map will be provided to you.

The Eye Hospital has a small pay and display car park next to the building, you should not drive yourself to this clinic visit or your surgery.

• You should report to the Eye Hospital reception desk where you will then be directed to the assessment area waiting room.
• From there, the nurses will come and take you into the assessment rooms and begin the process of asking you various questions relating to your health and wellbeing. The nursing team will discuss your surgery and aftercare with you and undertake any necessary tests.
• The nursing team will confirm the time and date for your surgery that the Waiting list team have allocated you.
• Due to space constraints, you should only bring one person with you while you have the assessment.
• Refreshments are not provided, however there is a small cafeteria in the ‘Eye Hospital Atrium’ selling hot drinks and snacks. Diabetic patients should ensure they have sufficient food with them for the period of the assessment and travelling to and from the hospital. When the café is closed, there is a vending machine for drinks and snacks.

 What happens afterwards?

If your general health is poor, we may need to ask your GP to investigate and treat any problems you may have before your surgery can take place. At this point, you may need to be referred back to the Eye Hospital when your GP considers you are able to safely undergo the surgery.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Ophthalmology Department on tel no: (01482) 608788.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.