Cataract surgery is normally performed under local anaesthetic. In other words,  you will be awake with the option of sedation, but not feel any of the surgery. The eye will be completely numb and the the muscles that allow you to blink will also not work.
The surgery is carried out by me, in the operating theatre. When you enter the theatre your personal details will be verified and then your face will be covered by a waterproof paper drape.  There is a hole in it so I can see your eye (but you won't be able to see me, or any of the operation, as the anaesthetic also stops the eye seeing!).
The surgery involves making 2 or 3 small incisions at the edge of the clear window of the eye (cornea). The incisions are 2.5mm or less. Instruments can then be used to fragment the cataract and remove it from the eye. The artificial lens is then placed in the eye. Usually, no stitches are required.
At the end of the operation the eye is closed using a piece of tape, and a plastic shield is placed over the eye to protect it.