Before booking your return, ask your surgeon which checks you need before leaving China and when you can fly. The type of surgery alone cannot tell you when to return. After retinal surgery, do not fly while a gas bubble remains in your eye. Wait until it has fully absorbed and your surgeon confirms it is safe to fly.
What should I confirm before leaving China?
After cataract or refractive surgery, ask which checks you need before leaving. Ask when your next visit is and what tests you need. If surgery is staged, ask how the first eye’s recovery affects the second appointment and your return.
After retinal surgery, ask whether the team used gas or silicone oil. Ask about positioning, follow-up and any further surgery. Keep the written instructions.
How do I arrange follow-up back home?
Contact a local eye clinic before you travel. Tell them what procedure you expect to have and when the follow-up is due. Check that they can see you and carry out the necessary tests. If a suitable appointment is unavailable, ask the surgical team about changing the follow-up location or your return date.
Printable handover checklist
- Operation record or discharge summary with the date, procedure and eye treated.
- Hospital record of any implant or material placed inside the eye, including its name or model if available.
- Current medication list and written instructions.
- Postoperative results and the date and tests for the next appointment.
- Contact details for the surgical team and local eye clinic, and where to go if problems arise.
Urgent symptoms include sudden vision loss, persistent severe eye pain, sudden new floaters, flashes or a curtain-like shadow. If these occur, seek immediate local eye care or go to an emergency department.
See eye care in China, cataracts and lens choices and refractive surgery assessment.