Manual small-incision cataract surgery under topical anesthesia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Procedures
• Anesthesia

Background:

• Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) is a common ophthalmic procedure.
• Traditional anesthesia methods like peribulbar or retrobulbar blocks carry risks of complications.
• Topical anesthesia is increasingly preferred for cataract surgery due to its safety profile.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient comfort during MSICS performed solely under topical anesthesia (proparacaine 0.5% eye drops).
• To assess surgeon's perspective on patient cooperation with topical anesthesia in MSICS.
• To promote topical MSICS as a viable alternative to traditional anesthesia techniques.

Main Methods:

• A prospective analytical study involving 33 patients undergoing MSICS.
• Anesthesia was achieved using only proparacaine 0.5% eye drops, without periocular blocks or intracameral drugs.
• Patient comfort and surgeon-assessed cooperation were rated on a 1-5 scale.

Main Results:

• The average patient comfort score was 3.45 ± 0.96.
• The average patient cooperation score, from the surgeon's perspective, was 3.42 ± 1.07.
• Both scores indicated satisfactory levels of comfort and cooperation.

Conclusions:

• MSICS with topical proparacaine 0.5% eye drops provides adequate patient comfort and cooperation.
• This method avoids complications associated with peribulbar anesthesia.
• Topical MSICS is a safe, economical, and effective option for large-scale cataract surgeries, promoting faster recovery.