The study describes the nursing care of patients with cataract before they are submitted to ambulatory surgery. The procedure involves a systematic orientation program which is being developed by the authors, in groups with 15 patients each. The objectives are: to provide technical advice on cataract, to instruct the patients as to nursing orientation care, to enable a nursing evaluation of these patients and to help reducing the number of absent patients and cancelled surgeries. The authors analyze the patients' concerns with their ocular problem, their surgery and post-operative care. The limitations were pointed, out, concluding that de program is relevant for the patient with a more effective participation and adhesion to the treatment.