Discharge
What to expect on discharge day, including recovery care, safety tips and personalised post-surgery instructions for your comfort.
On the day of discharge our team will ensure you are ready and safe to go home, by monitoring your recovery, giving you clear post‑surgery instructions and coordinating transport with your nominated carer.
General Discharge Information
If a cannula was removed, the site may feel bruised for up to one week and the dressing can usually be removed within a few hours; if you notice any swelling, pain, redness or discharge, please contact your local GP .
You will be given personalised post‑surgery instructions on discharge, covering wound care, eye protection, prescribed medications and any follow‑up appointments .
Your carer should accompany you home by private car or taxi and stay with you overnight to assist with mobility and ensure your safety, as anaesthetic effects can persist even if you feel recovered .
Take extra care when walking, especially if one eye is covered or you are on pain relief; your carer can support you on steps, help you balance and encourage you to rest as needed .
We encourage you to resume gentle activity soon after discharge to reduce the risk of blood clots; staying mobile, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding crossing your legs can help .
Should you experience sudden severe pain or swelling in your legs, chest pain or difficulty breathing, please alert our nursing staff immediately or seek emergency care if these symptoms occur after you arrive home .
Before you leave you’ll be invited to complete a short patient satisfaction survey; your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our care .
Post Eye-Surgery Discharge Information
It is normal for vision to be blurry in the beginning - your eye needs to heal and adjust. Vision will normally begin to improve within a few days of surgery. It's also normal for your eye to feel itchy and mild discomfort for a couple of days. The discomfort should disappear after a few days.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your Ophthalmologist immediately:
Vision loss
Redness of the eye
Pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medication
Light flashes or multiple spots (floaters) in front of your eye
Nausea, vomiting or extreme coughing
Some of our most frequently asked discharge questions
Frequently asked questions
You will be taken to the recovery area where our nursing staff monitor your vital signs and offer light refreshments. The length of your stay depends on your procedure, but most patients remain in recovery for around two to three hours before discharge.
It is normal to feel slight bruising where the cannula was inserted. This can last up to a week. The dressing can usually be removed a few hours after surgery. If you notice any swelling, redness, pain or discharge, please contact your local GP.
Following anaesthesia, you must be accompanied home by your nominated carer, who should remain with you overnight. We recommend travel by private car or taxi rather than public transport.
Before you leave, our team will provide personalised post‑surgery instructions covering wound or eye care, any prescribed medications and details of your follow‑up appointments.
You are encouraged to begin gentle movement as soon as you get home to reduce the risk of blood clots. Staying mobile, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding crossing your legs all help prevent clotting.
If you experience sudden, severe pain or swelling in your legs, chest pain or difficulty breathing, alert our nursing staff immediately. If these symptoms occur after you get home, seek emergency care without delay.
Yes. We invite all patients to complete a short satisfaction survey before you leave. Your feedback helps us continually improve our care and services.
Still have questions?
Our friendly team is here to help. Call 02 9533 7100 or send us a message.