Day-Before Surgery Checklist: Food Rules, Rides, Clothes, and Helpers

Cataract surgery is one of the safest operations in modern medicine, with a complication rate under 1 percent according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The day-before checklist is short but strict, and skipping any item can cause the surgical center to delay or cancel the procedure. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery publishes a standard pre-operative protocol that every accredited surgical center follows. The protocol covers fasting, medication adjustments, transportation, clothing, and a designated helper for the first 24 hours after surgery.

The fasting rule is the most common reason for same-day cancellation. Most surgical centers require no food or drink after midnight on the night before surgery. Some centers allow clear liquids such as water, black coffee, or apple juice up to two hours before arrival, while others require a full eight-hour fast. The instruction comes from the anesthesia team, not the surgeon, because even a topical anesthetic with sedation carries an aspiration risk if the stomach contains food. Patients who forget and have a morning cup of milky coffee usually need to reschedule.

Transportation is the second non-negotiable item. The patient cannot drive home from the surgical center, period. The eye will be patched, the pupil will be dilated for hours, and the sedation lingers. AAO guidelines call for a friend, family member, or commercial medical transport. Many surgical centers will not begin the procedure until a verified driver checks in at the front desk. A ride-share service alone, such as Uber or Lyft, is not enough at most centers because the driver is not a known contact, but a ride-share trip with a known companion is generally accepted.

The third item is clothing. A button-front or zip-front shirt avoids pulling fabric over the patched eye after surgery. Comfortable elastic-waist pants, slip-on shoes, and a light jacket complete the outfit. Do not wear earrings, necklaces, makeup, perfume, hairspray, or contact lenses on the day of surgery. The surgical drape must seal against clean skin around the eye, and any cosmetic residue increases the infection risk. Sources: aao.org/eye-health/treatments/cataract-surgery-preparation, ascrs.org/patients/cataract, and medicare.gov/coverage/cataract-surgery.