Consultation
CARE
OFFERED
Surgery
Dr Kang performs vitreoretinal surgery using the modern small wound, sutureless approach. Recent advances in instruments and surgical techniques have made the surgery safer and more efficient than ever. The vast majority of patients do not feel pain after the surgery and the recovery is rapid. Certain conditions, such as retinal detachment, usually require emergency surgery. Other conditions can be managed electively.
The decision to have surgery is a major undertaking that requires a careful consideration of both benefits and risk for each individual patient. Conditions that are treated surgically can be found in the information section.
Dr Kang operates at following day surgeries:
PLANNING FOR YOUR SURGERY
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Please expect to spend around 3 hours in the hospital. Unavoidable delays may occur if there are emergency cases.
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Your admission form should be completed, signed and sent to the hospital prior to admission.
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On the day before the surgery, please ring the hospital to confirm the time you need to arrive at the hospital. You will be provided with detailed instructions by the hospital staff.
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If you are having the surgery in the morning, please fast from midnight before. If your surgery is due in the afternoon, please fast for 6 hours prior to your arrival.
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Please take your regular medications at usual times with a sip of water.
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You do not need to stop blood thinners unless advised to do so.
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Most patients do not require blood tests, electrocardiogram or x-ray before the surgery.
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If you are unwell, please inform the hospital
DAY OF SURGERY
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Please arrive at the hospital by the designated time. Do not bring any valuable items.
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Please present yourself to the reception to complete the admission paperwork.
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After putting on the gown and theatre hat, you will be ushered to the anaesthetic area to meet your anaesthetist, who will take your medical history and examine you for suitability for anaesthesia.
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Pre-operative health check will be performed. This will include blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen level and if necessary blood glucose level.
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Your anaesthetist will move you to your theatre bed and administer anaesthetics. The vast majority of patients will undergo surgery under local anaesthesia and sedation. When necessary, general anaesthesia will be administered.
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You will be wheeled into the theatre, where the eye and the skin around the eye will be sterilized.
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A drape will be put over your face and upper body. There will be oxygen supply under the drape and your mouth and nose will not be covered.
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Surgery will commence when all preparations are checked and ready. During the surgery, you can speak out if you are experiencing difficulties. Dr Kang will communicate with you throughout the surgery.
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Upon completion of the surgery, your eye and skin will be cleaned and your eye will be covered with a pad and plastic shield.
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You will be taken to the recovery area where some food and drink will be served.
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When you have recovered completely, you will be discharged from the hospital. You must be accompanied by a responsible person for your journey home. It is desirable that you do not spend the night of your surgery on your own.
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You do not need to start eye drops until you see Dr Kang the next day.
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Please familiarize yourself with discharge information.
You can resume normal daily activities but care must be taken to avoid accidents and injuries.
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Keep the eye pad on until you see Dr Kang the following day. You may be instructed to keep certain head position after the surgery if gas was injected into the eye as part of retinal surgery. You must not travel by airplane until the gas has disappeared completely.
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Paracetamol (e.g., Panadol) can be taken for mild discomfort. Severe pain, headache or nausea may be signs of trouble. Contact Dr Kang immediately on the emergency number.
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If the emergency number is not answered for any reason, please go to the nearest hospital eye department.​
Sydney Eye Hospital:
Westmead Hospital:
Concord Hospital:
Liverpool Hospital:
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital:
Royal North Shore Hospital:
Prince of Wales Hospital:
9382 7111
9845 5555
9767 5000
9828 3000
9515 6111
9926 7111
9382 2222
DAY AFTER SURGERY
The eye pad and shield will be removed and the eye will be cleaned. Your eye will be examined to for any problem and the eye pressure will be measured. It is normal for your vision to be blurry after the eye pad is removed but the vision should improve quickly. The white of the eye may be red due to some bleeding outside the eye.
If the vision progressively worsens, or the eye becomes increasing red and uncomfortable, please notify Dr Kang.
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Vision will remain poor for two or more weeks if gas was injected into the eye. An undulating line will appear at the top, which will gradually come down. Vision will be clearer above this line. The line will become a dark circle at the bottom and eventually disappear.
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You will be instructed to start eye drops (see below)
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Put the eye shield on with tape during sleep for 5 nights to prevent rubbing the eye unintentionally.
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Avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects. Avoid getting knocked or poked in your eye.
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Avoid getting the eye wet when washing your face or having a shower for 1 week. Please avoid swimming, sauna or getting the eye wet with bath water for at least 2 weeks.
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You can use artificial tear drops to ease gritty discomfort.
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Your GP is also able to prescribe the eye drops if you misplace the bottle or prescription.
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You can resume taking your other usual eye drops after speaking to Dr Kang on the first day after surgery.
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You may choose to wear sunglasses, but this is optional.
You will need to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops after surgery.
The dosage will be reduced over the next four weeks. Additional eye drops may be prescribed if needed. You should also resume taking usual eye drops, such as glaucoma medications.
Chlorsig 0.5% is the antibiotic most commonly prescribed. Maxidex 0.1% or the Prednefrin Forte is the anti-inflammatory medications usually prescribed. These may be substituted by alternate medication if indicated.
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Wash your hands before putting in the eye drops.
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Make sure the collar of the cap is removed to avoid it falling on to your eye.
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Lift your face up to look up and pull the lower lid down. Instil one or two drops into the pocket of the lower lid.
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Close your eyes for a few minutes. You can use a tissue to gently dab excess eye drop from the lid.
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Wait 5 minutes before instilling other eye drops.
TAKING EYE DROPS
Week 1
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Chlorsig 4 times a day
(stop after 1 week) -
Maxidex or Prednefrin Forte 4 times a day
Week 2
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Maxidex or Prednefrin Forte 3 times a day
Week 3
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Maxidex or Prednefrin Forte 3 times a day
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Week 4
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Maxidex or Prednefrin Forte 2 times a day
