Outpatient cataract and intraocular lens surgery

Outpatient ophthalmic surgery has arrived, and ambulatory surgical centers are cropping up all across the country. Government and third-party payers have produced significant financial incentives for performing outpatient surgery, but there are, perhaps, more compelling reasons for allowing this option for patients. Advantages accrue to both the patient and the ophthalmic surgeon. Disadvantages can be minimized and the prospects for success can be maximized through proper preoperative workup, anesthesia management, and postoperative follow-up.In the experience of one of the authors with outpatient cataract and intraocular lens surgery, 66.7 percent of outpatients achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better and 33.3 percent of inpatients achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better. All patients had significant improvement in vision, and failure to achieve a 20/40 level of vision was caused by preoperative pathology. Because of these considerations, the authors believe that it is not only reasonable but prudent to direct the development of skills and techniques toward even safer and more efficient outpatient ophthalmic surgery.