You will not be having surgery at your first appointment. This will be a screening visit to check your past medical history, eye pressure, and vision. Once you see the doctor, the next steps will be explained.

Please bring your distance vision or progressive glasses to every appointment. If you take any eye drops, please bring those as well. If you have any updated medications, bring record of this.

• It is recommended to drink 3 cups of fluids (NO alcohol) the evening prior. 
• Do NOT eat anything after midnight the night before surgery (including gum/candies). You can drink CLEAR fluids (water, apple juice, sports drink, BLACK tea or coffee without any sweeteners) up to 3 hours prior to surgery then NOTHING.

• You should contact the office immediately if you have an uncontrollable cough, fever, vomiting, possible eye infection, or sudden health changes (403-245-3730)

• You are NOT allowed to drive yourself on the day of surgery. It is preferred that a friend/family member drive you home after surgery; a taxi is permitted although no sedation will be offered. Bus or walking by yourself is NOT permitted. A staff member can advise you on your 1-day follow up check if you are legal to drive again. 

*Ensure to wear loose-fitting clothing; nothing tight or restricting. Do not wear make-up or jewelry. Contact lenses will need to be removed.

• Check-in at Surgery Centre Reception: You will need your current ID and healthcare card. You will sign a consent form for surgery. Your drive may wait in the waiting room or return to pick you up after surgery (~2 hours). If you chose a specialty lens, you will need to pay with debit/credit card at this time. 
• Anesthetist​: The anesthetist will offer a mild sedative if you prefer and only if you have somebody who will be with you the remainder of the day. He/She will discuss your health, monitor your blood pressure and instil drops to "freeze" and dilate your eye. Rarely a needle may be used to freeze the eye; this will be discussed prior to surgery if needed. 
• Surgery Room: You will need to lie does on the surgery table; the nurses will make you as comfortable as possible with knee or neck support. Dr. Crichton will listen to instruction regarding where to look: if needed a translator may accompany you into the surgery suite. The surgery will take about 15 minutes and is generally painless. A patch will be placed over the eye when finished. 
• Recovery Room​: The nurse will take you to a room to ensure you are stable and comfortable prior to allowing you to go home. 

• Yes, take anything as you normally would, including any glaucoma and surgery eye drops, with the following exception:
• Any medications recommended to take with food, such as Diamox or diabetic medications. 

Common symptoms of glaucoma include loss of peripheral vision, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, and eye pain. Many people may not experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which is why regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and management of the condition.

 If you take Coumadin/Warfarin, you should have your INR checked approximately 5-7 days prior to surgery; Dr. Crichton/Dr. Ford will advise if any changes are required.

• If you take baby aspirin for general health purposes only, stopping for 5 days prior to surgery and 1 day after will decrease the risk of bleeding
• Continue any other blood thinners as you normally would (ENSURE STAFF IS AWARE)