Discharging routine phacoemulsification patients at one week

The reduction of surgically induced astigmatism and rapid refractive stabilisation after phacoemulsification have been well studied and often lead to reduced follow-up. In this prospective study we reviewed a cohort of 100 patients discharged with a refractive prescription at their 1 week post-operative appointment following routine sutureless phacoemulsification through a corneal or scleral section. The aim was to assess the incidence of late pathology and need for review. Eighty-eight patients attended for review between 3 and 4 months post-operatively, of whom 8 (9.1%) who had been symptomatic had already visited ophthalmic casualty. Nine (10.2%) benefited from the follow-up appointment: 4 were given a new refractive prescription that increased their Snellen visual acuity by 1 line; the other 5 were all symptomatic or had incidental findings. We feel that provided there is easy access to the eye department, early discharge with or without refraction is justifiable as those with surgically related pathology at any stage are symptomatic.