[Evaluation of eye patching after cataract surgery in topical anesthesia]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Postoperative eye patching is a common practice following cataract surgery.
• The rationale and necessity of this practice are not well-established.
• This study investigates the need for eye patching after cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the necessity of postoperative eye patching after cataract surgery.
• To compare clinical outcomes and patient subjective experiences with different eye covering methods.
• To assess the impact of eye patching on patient comfort and symptom perception.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized study involving 133 patients undergoing cataract surgery.
• Four groups were compared: no eye covering, transparent eye shield for 4 hours, eye pad for 4 hours, and eye pad until the next morning.
• Clinical findings were recorded, and local symptoms (pain, foreign body sensation, tearing, photophobia) were measured using a visual analogue scale and a questionnaire.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in objective clinical findings were observed between the groups.
• Patients in the group with a 4-hour eye pad reported significantly more pain and foreign body sensation.
• A high percentage of unpatched patients experienced no discomfort, while a majority of those patched until the next morning found it unnecessary.

Conclusions:

• Mild symptoms were noted after cataract surgery with topical anesthesia, regardless of eye covering.
• Objective clinical findings and subjective patient experiences showed no significant differences across the studied groups.
• The findings suggest that eye patching after cataract surgery may not be necessary, challenging the routine practice.