VISUAL PERCEPTION DURING SMALL INCISION CATARACT SURGERY

Abstract

60 patients who had undergone small incision cataract surgery under peribulbar anaesthesia were asked questions regarding the visual experience that they had during the procedure. 40 (66.6%) patients had visual perception whereas 20 (33.3%) reported to have no visual perception during surgery.

Visual sensations included perception of light, colours (white, yellow, green and orange), movements of surgeon’s fingers and instruments and different shapes. Patients also reported to have experienced change in intensity of light intra-operatively.

These visual experiences are thought to have a key role in precipitating fear and anxiety in patients which may further make them uncorporative during the procedure. It may also be a reason for intra operative hypertension, tachypnoea and acute panic attacks further complicating the surgery.

In order to eliminate the aforementioned response of the patient, proper pre-operative counseling regarding the affect of local anaesthesia on vision should be regularly done. Ophthalmologists should be mindful of this as it may have a key role in improving patient satisfaction and quality of cataract surgery.

Keywords: visual, incision & cataract surgery.