Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Hernia Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
In short
- Sight loss does not change the hernia repair. It changes how you are guided, how forms are shared and how you recover at home.
- Ask for the consent form to be read aloud, or sent in large print or to your phone. Never sign what you have not heard.
- Plan a helper for the first days. Clear the floor, keep a light on, and set out medicines you can tell apart by touch.
Some people have poor sight, and some cannot see at all. Causes include diabetes, glaucoma, age-related eye disease and injury.
Sight loss does not change the hernia operation itself. What changes is how you are guided, how you are given information, and how you manage at home.
Tell the team early
Say that you have sight loss when you book. Then the clinic and the hospital can plan for it.
Bring someone you trust to the first visit if you can. They can help with forms and with finding your way.
A hard, painful lump that will not go back, with vomiting, needs the emergency department the same day.
The consent form
You must understand what you agree to. Ask for the form to be read aloud to you, slowly.
You can also ask for it in large print, or as a file on your phone that it can read out. Take your time and ask questions.
Never sign a form you have not heard in full.
In hospital
Ask staff to say their name when they come near you. Ask them to tell you before they touch you or give an injection.
A nurse can guide you around the ward and show you where the bell and the toilet are. If you use a cane or a guide dog, tell the hospital before you come.
Keep your phone and glasses close to the bed.
Planning a hernia repair with sight loss
| Step | What helps | Who arranges it |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Say you have sight loss | You or your family |
| Consent form | Read aloud or sent to your phone | The surgical team |
| In hospital | Staff say their name and guide you | Ward nurses |
| Medicines | Kept in boxes you can tell apart by touch | You and your helper |
| At home | Clear floors, night light, phone close | Your family |
Have sight loss and a hernia? Tell us when you book, so we can plan your visit and your stay.
Open or keyhole repair
Both can be done. Your sight does not decide the choice.
If you use eye drops, keep using them. Bring them with you. Tell the team if you have had eye surgery in the last few weeks.
Recovery at home
Have a helper for the first few days. Clear the floor of mats and wires. Keep a light on at night and stand up slowly.
Keep each medicine in a box or bottle you can tell apart by touch. A rubber band or a sticker works well. Some phone apps can read labels aloud.
You cannot see the wound, so ask your helper to look at it each day. Call the team if it becomes red, swollen or starts to leak.
Frequently asked questions
Does poor eyesight make hernia surgery riskier?
No. It does not change the operation. It changes how you are guided and how you manage at home.
Can someone read the consent form to me?
Yes. Ask for it to be read aloud, or sent in large print or to your phone.
How do I check my wound if I cannot see it?
Ask your helper to look at it each day, and call the team if it is red, swollen or leaking.
Can I bring my guide dog to hospital?
Tell the hospital before you come, so they can tell you their rules and plan for it.
Related pages
The main page on this site is hernia surgery in Ahmedabad. These cover the neighbouring questions.
Where to find us
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
Bring your reports. Second opinions are welcome.