Factors associated with postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in ophthalmic surgery: a systematic review

Pain in ophthalmic surgery is a neglected area. We systematically reviewed the factors associated with postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in ophthalmic surgery and found 12 studies with 1,515 participants. The median number of patients in the included studies was 59. Female sex, longer duration of surgical procedure, second eye surgery as a consecutive procedure, type of surgery, general anesthesia, lower satisfaction with anesthesia, and postoperative nausea may contribute to increased postoperative pain intensity. Type of surgery, type of anesthesia, and patient satisfaction with anesthesia were associated with increased analgesic consumption. The studies reviewed were heterogeneous in terms of surgical procedures, patient populations, tools for pain assessment, and timing of postoperative pain measurement. Multiple factors may be associated with increased postoperative pain and analgesic consumption and warrant further research.