Key community eye health messages

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Respectful communication improves patient trust

• Explain the benefits, risks and expected outcomes of cataract surgery in the patient’s preferred language, using words they can easily understand

• Discuss patients’ visual needs and available IOL options before surgery to help them make informed choices

• Ask about barriers such as travel costs, lack of family support and difficulty attending follow-up visits, and help patients plan ahead

Clear postoperative instructions support safe recovery

• Give patients verbal and written instructions on eye care, medicines, follow-up visits and warning signs

• Show patients and family members how to use eye drops correctly and check their understanding

• Explain that mild discomfort, watering, redness and blurred vision are common after surgery but should gradually improve

• Before discharge, check that patients have their medicines, clinic contact details and follow-up appointment information

Informed IOL selection improves patient satisfaction

• Ask patients about their daily activities and near- and distance-vision needs before discussing IOL options

• Explain expected visual outcomes to patients with myopia, especially those used to seeing clearly up close without spectacles

• Discuss the benefits, limitations, possible side-effects and costs of different IOL options Record patients’ visual needs and preferences and involve them in choosing the most suitable IOL