Preadmission Program

In anticipation for your scheduled cataract surgery, your surgeon's office will schedule you for a preadmission visit.  This will entail having your eye measured by a technician so that your ophthalmologist can determine the best power of lens implant to place in your eye at the time of your surgery.  Depending on your current and past health, your ophthalmologist may also request that you undergo a comprehensive medical examination at that time.

Your ophthalmologist's office will provide you with the details of the date and time of your preadmission visit. If you cannot come to your appointment, please contact us from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

How to prepare for your Preadmission appointment

  • Do not wear soft contact lenses for 5 days before your appointment (7 days for hard lenses) to allow eye measurement.
  • Mail or fax your pre-registration form to us ahead of your visit, to speed up registration when you arrive.
  • If you do not speak English well, bring someone with you who can speak English, or call us to request an interpreter.
  • Eat as usual before you come, take medications as usual (including insulin).
  • Wear comfortable clothing. Please do not wear pantyhose or long underwear.
  • Do not use perfume, cologne, aftershave, scented lotions or hair sprays.

What to Bring

  • Ontario Health Card
  • Other health insurance cards
  • All letters and information from your doctor
  • All medications in original containers, including inhalers, eye drops, patches, sprays, herbs and vitamins
  • A list of all past operations and illness you have had and approximate dates
  • A list of all your allergies
  • Reading glasses or hearing aid
  • A family member/friend is welcome

Where do you report on the day of your visit

  • Please be on time for your appointment
  • Allow up to 2 hours for your visit
  • Give yourself enough time to find a parking space
  • We recommend using the hospital parking garage or a non-metered parking space
  • Enter St. Joseph's Hospital through Entrance 2 on Grosvenor Street (Revolving Door)
  • Get directions from the Information Desk

Your visit will include

  • Review of your health history
  • Possible blood work, ECG (heart tracing)
  • An eye measurement, for cataract surgery
  • Any other assessments needed for your operation or health history
  • Teaching about your care before and after surgery
  • What to expect while in hospital