Cataract surgery is an outpatient, fast-paced surgical intervention that requires preoperative patient education to ensure success. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of structured preoperative instructions on anxiety levels of patients scheduled for cataract surgery. A pretest/posttest classical experimental design was used to test the hypothesis. Anxiety was assessed by using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Blood pressure, pulse, and respiration were measured to assess the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that structured preoperative instructions will decrease the anxiety level of patients scheduled for cataract surgery.