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Topical anesthesia for phacoemulsification: initial 20-case series with one month follow-up
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Topical anesthesia for phacoemulsification surgery is safe and effective, with most patients reporting excellent comfort and visual outcomes. This method is preferred by patients over previous anesthesia techniques.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery technique.
- Topical anesthesia offers potential benefits for patient comfort and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical anesthesia for phacoemulsification.
- To assess patient comfort and visual outcomes with this anesthetic approach.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 20 phacoemulsification cases using preservative-free 0.75% bupivacaine topical anesthesia.
- Administered intravenous fentanyl and midazolam for sedation.
- Implanted one-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) or three-piece silicone intraocular lenses.
Main Results:
- No anesthetic complications occurred.
- Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 69% of patients at one day.
- Best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better was achieved in 60% of patients at one month.
- High patient satisfaction reported for intraoperative and postoperative comfort.
Conclusions:
- Topical anesthesia is a viable and effective option for phacoemulsification surgery.
- Patient preference favors topical anesthesia, especially compared to peribulbar anesthesia.
- Appropriate patient selection is key to achieving excellent results with topical anesthesia.