Patient Guide
Preparing for your surgery day
A little preparation makes for a calm, easy day. Here is what to expect before, during, and after your procedure at Freedom Vision. Always follow your own surgeon's instructions if they differ from this general guide.
Before your surgery
Confirm your arrival time. Your surgeon's office will tell you when to arrive — usually well before your procedure time.
Arrange a driver. You will not be able to drive yourself home after sedation. A responsible adult must drive you home and should stay with you the first evening.
Follow fasting instructions. If you are having sedation, you will be asked not to eat or drink for a period before surgery. Your care team will give you exact times.
Ask about your medications. Check with your surgeon's office about which regular medications to take on surgery day, and start any prescribed eye drops as directed.
Bring the essentials. Photo ID, your insurance card, a list of your medications, and any paperwork your surgeon's office gave you.
The day of surgery
Check in at Suite 100. We're on the first floor — see the Visit Us tab for parking and directions.
Meet your care team. Our nurses will prepare you, start any drops, and the team behind our excellent anesthesia care will make sure you are comfortable and relaxed.
Your procedure. Most eye procedures are brief — many take well under an hour — and most patients feel little or no discomfort.
Rest in recovery. We'll monitor you as the sedation wears off, review your instructions with you and your driver, and then you're free to head home.
Dress for comfort. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and please leave jewelry and valuables at home. Avoid eye makeup on surgery day.
After your surgery
Rest and take it easy. Plan a quiet day at home. Your vision may be blurry at first — this is normal and improves as you heal.
Use your eye drops. Follow the drop schedule your surgeon prescribes, and wear any eye shield as directed.
See your surgeon the next day. Most patients have a follow-up visit the day after surgery, then as your surgeon advises.
Call with concerns. Increasing pain, sudden vision loss, or flashes and floaters after retina surgery should be reported to your surgeon's office right away.
Insurance & billing
We're in network. Freedom Vision is in network with Medicare and all major PPO and HMO plans.
Verification before surgery. Our team verifies your coverage for the facility portion of your care ahead of your surgery date.
Separate professional fees. As with any surgery center, your surgeon's and anesthesia fees are billed separately from the facility fee.
Questions welcome. For billing questions, contact your surgeon's office, which coordinates scheduling and insurance details for your procedure.
Common questions
Will my surgery hurt?
Most patients are surprised by how comfortable eye surgery is. Numbing drops and gentle sedation, as part of our excellent anesthesia care, keep you relaxed, and most procedures involve little or no pain. Mild scratchiness or light sensitivity afterwards is common and usually brief.
How long will I be at the center?
Plan on being with us for a few hours in total — check-in, preparation, your procedure, and a rest in recovery. The procedures themselves are often brief; most of your visit is preparation and comfortable recovery.
Can my family stay with me?
Your driver or a family member is welcome in our waiting area during your procedure, and our team will keep them updated. Because you will have sedation, a responsible adult must drive you home.
When can I drive and return to normal activities?
That depends on your procedure and how your eye heals. Your surgeon will advise you at your follow-up visit — most cataract patients return to everyday activities within a few days.
Why have surgery at a surgery center instead of a hospital?
Freedom Vision is Medicare certified and AAAHC accredited, and because we perform only eye surgery, our rooms, equipment, and staff are specialized for exactly your procedure — with a calmer setting, efficient scheduling, and recovery at home the same day.