This page contains important information for patients under the care of Mr. Chris Panos. Please take some time to read through these guidelines to help prepare for your appointments and procedures.
Your Initial Consultation
Your first appointment with Mr. Panos will typically last between 30-45 minutes. During this time, he will:
- Discuss your medical history and current symptoms
- Perform a comprehensive eye examination
- Explain your diagnosis and treatment options
- Address any questions or concerns you may have
- Formulate a personalized treatment plan if necessary
Please bring any relevant medical records, a list of current medications, and your glasses or contact lenses to your appointment.
Pre-Operative Care
Cataract surgery is a common and generally safe procedure. To ensure the best possible outcome, please follow these guidelines:
Two Weeks Before Surgery
- Complete all pre-operative tests as recommended by Mr. Panos
- Inform Mr. Panos about all medications you are taking, including eye drops, supplements, and over-the-counter medicines
- If you take blood thinners, discuss with Mr. Panos and your GP whether these need to be temporarily stopped
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery
The Day Before Surgery
- Use any prescribed pre-operative eye drops as directed
- Do not wear eye makeup
- Eat a light meal the evening before and follow any fasting instructions if given
- Get a good night's sleep
The Day of Surgery
- Take your regular medications unless instructed otherwise
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Do not wear jewelry, makeup, or perfume/cologne
- Bring sunglasses to wear after the procedure
- Arrive at the hospital or clinic at the scheduled time
Glaucoma surgery aims to reduce intraocular pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Preparation is similar to cataract surgery, with some specific considerations:
Two Weeks Before Surgery
- Continue using prescribed glaucoma medications unless specifically instructed to stop
- Complete all pre-operative assessments
- Discuss any blood-thinning medications with Mr. Panos and your GP
- Plan for reduced activity for 2-4 weeks following surgery
The Day Before Surgery
- Use any prescribed pre-operative eye drops as directed
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Follow any fasting instructions if given
The Day of Surgery
- Take your regular medications unless instructed otherwise
- Wear comfortable clothing that does not need to be pulled over your head
- Remove contact lenses, jewelry, and makeup
- Ensure someone is available to take you home after the procedure
Laser treatments are typically quick outpatient procedures that require minimal preparation. Your pupil might be dilated for the procedure.
Before Your Treatment
- Continue taking all prescribed medications unless directed otherwise
- Inform Mr. Panos if you are taking any blood thinners
- Eat normally before the procedure
- Arrange for someone to accompany you, as your vision may be temporarily blurred
The Day of Treatment
- You may need to use eye drops before the procedure
- Allow extra time for your appointment, as your pupil may need to be dilated
- Bring sunglasses to wear afterward if your pupils will be dilated
- Most patients can resume normal activities the same day, but avoid driving immediately after if your pupils are dilated
Post-Operative Care
General Post-Operative Guidelines
Proper care after eye surgery is crucial for successful recovery. Here are some general guidelines to follow after most eye procedures:
DO
- Use all prescribed eye drops exactly as directed
- Wear an eye shield while sleeping for the duration recommended by Mr. Panos
- Keep your eye clean and avoid rubbing it
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect from bright light
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
- Rest adequately during the initial recovery period
DON'T
- Rub or touch your eye
- Engage in strenuous activities or heavy lifting for at least 2 weeks
- Swim or use hot tubs for at least 2 weeks
- Wear eye makeup for at least 1 week
- Drive until cleared by Mr. Panos
- Ignore any signs of infection or complications
When to Seek Immediate Care
Contact Mr. Panos or seek emergency care if you experience any of the following after your procedure:
- Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication
- Sudden decrease in vision
- Increasing redness, swelling, or discharge from the eye
- Flashes of light, new floaters, or a "curtain" appearing in your field of vision
After Cataract Surgery
Most patients experience improved vision within a few days of cataract surgery. Complete healing typically takes about 8 weeks.
Recovery Timeline
- 24-48 hours: Mild discomfort, slight blurring, and light sensitivity are normal
- 1 week: Most discomfort should subside; vision begins to stabilize
- 4-6 weeks: Vision continues to improve; prescription for new glasses if needed
- 8 weeks: Complete healing for most patients
You may need reading glasses after surgery, even if you didn't need them before. If you opted for multifocal or accommodating lenses, you may experience less dependence on glasses.
After Glaucoma Surgery
Recovery from glaucoma surgery typically takes longer than cataract surgery. Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor eye pressure.
Recovery Timeline
- 1-2 weeks: Limit physical activity and avoid bending or lifting
- 2-4 weeks: Gradual return to normal activities as advised by Mr. Panos
- 1-3 months: Frequent follow-up appointments to monitor eye pressure
- 3-6 months: Stabilization of eye pressure in most cases
Some patients may need to continue using glaucoma medication after surgery, though often at reduced dosages. The primary goal of surgery is to lower eye pressure to prevent further optic nerve damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery times vary depending on the procedure and individual factors:
- Cataract surgery: Most patients see improvement within a few days, with complete healing in about 8 weeks.
- Glaucoma surgery: Initial recovery takes 2-4 weeks, with eye pressure stabilizing over 3-6 months.
- Laser treatments: Recovery is typically quick, with most patients resuming normal activities within 24 hours.
Most eye procedures are performed under local anesthesia, meaning you'll be awake but your eye will be numbed, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. You may feel pressure or slight discomfort.
After surgery, some mild discomfort, grittiness, or feeling like something is in your eye is normal. This usually subsides within a few days and can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relief.
Severe pain is not expected and should be reported to Mr. Panos immediately as it could indicate a complication.
Resuming driving depends on the procedure you've had and your visual recovery:
- Cataract surgery: Most patients can resume driving 24-48 hours after surgery if they feel comfortable and their vision meets the legal driving standard (being able to read a number plate at 20 meters).
- Glaucoma surgery: Driving is typically restricted for at least 1-2 weeks, sometimes longer depending on your recovery.
- Laser treatments: Most patients can resume driving the next day, provided their vision is clear and they haven't had pupil dilation.
Always wait for clearance from Mr. Panos before resuming driving, and inform your car insurance company about your surgery as this may affect your coverage.
This depends on the specific procedure and your medical history. In many cases, Mr. Panos may perform surgery while you continue your blood thinners, especially for routine cataract surgery.
For other procedures, such as certain glaucoma surgeries, temporarily stopping blood thinners might be recommended. However, this decision will be made in consultation with your GP or cardiologist, weighing the risks of stopping these medications against the benefits.
Always inform Mr. Panos about all medications you're taking, including aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, and other anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications, as well as supplements like fish oil, ginkgo biloba, or vitamin E, which can also have blood-thinning effects.
Mr. Panos is recognized by all major UK health insurance providers, including:
- BUPA
- AXA PPP
- Aviva
- Vitality
- WPA
- Simply Health
Before your appointment, please check with your insurance provider regarding your coverage and whether you need pre-authorization. Some policies may have excesses or limits on outpatient consultations or specific treatments.
If you don't have insurance, self-funding options are available. Please contact Mr. Panos' secretary for current consultation and treatment fees.
Patient Information Resources
Access our patient information resources to learn more about your eye condition and treatment options. These guides are designed to help you better understand your eye health.
Understanding Glaucoma
This leaflet explains what glaucoma is, how it affects your vision, and why regular eye checks are important.
- What causes glaucoma
- Types of glaucoma
- Risk factors
- Symptoms to watch for
Types of Glaucoma
Detailed information about the different types of glaucoma, their causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.
- Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma
- Secondary & Congenital Glaucoma
Cataract Surgery Guide
A complete guide to modern cataract surgery, including what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.
- Preparing for surgery
- The surgical procedure
- Recovery timeline
- Lens options explained
iStent Surgery
Information about iStent, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) option often combined with cataract surgery.
- How iStent works
- Benefits of the procedure
- What to expect during surgery
- Recovery and results
Trabeculectomy & Tube Surgery
Comprehensive guide to traditional glaucoma surgeries, including trabeculectomy and tube shunt procedures.
- How these surgeries work
- Comparing surgical options
- Recovery process
- Expected outcomes
Preserflo Microshunt
Information about the Preserflo Microshunt, an innovative glaucoma drainage device that helps lower eye pressure.
- What is the Preserflo Microshunt
- Benefits of the procedure
- Surgical technique
- Post-operative care
Useful Resources
Patient Support Organizations
Medical Terms Glossary
Understanding medical terminology can be challenging. Here's a simple guide to common eye care terms you might encounter during your treatment.
Glaucoma Terms
- Glaucoma
- A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye.
- Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
- The fluid pressure inside the eye. High pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
- MIGS
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery - newer, safer procedures that lower eye pressure with fewer risks than traditional surgery.
- Optic Nerve
- The nerve that connects the eye to the brain, carrying visual information. Glaucoma damages this nerve.
- Trabeculectomy
- A traditional surgery that creates a new drainage channel for fluid to leave the eye.
Cataract Terms
- Cataract
- Clouding of the natural lens in the eye that affects vision, usually developing with age.
- Phacoemulsification
- The modern technique for cataract surgery that uses ultrasound energy to break up the cloudy lens.
- IOL (Intraocular Lens)
- The artificial lens implanted during cataract surgery to replace the cloudy natural lens.
- Monofocal Lens
- A type of IOL that provides clear vision at one distance (usually far), with reading glasses needed for near vision.
- Multifocal Lens
- A type of IOL that allows for clear vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses.
General Eye Terms
- Cornea
- The clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.
- Iris
- The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.
- Pupil
- The black center of the eye that allows light to enter.
- Retina
- The light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.
- Visual Acuity
- A measure of the sharpness of vision, typically tested with an eye chart.
Treatment Terms
- Ophthalmologist
- A medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care, including surgery.
- Tonometry
- A test to measure pressure inside the eye.
- Gonioscopy
- An examination to view the drainage angle of the eye.
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
- A non-invasive imaging test that takes detailed pictures of the retina and optic nerve.
- Visual Field Test
- A test that measures your entire scope of vision, including peripheral (side) vision.