Posted on 10/03/2022 7:33:20 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Ophthalmologists may be able to safely cut back on having anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists routinely at bedside during cataract surgery.
Researchers examined Medicare claims for 36,652 patients who had cataract surgery and found the use of anesthesia care was substantially higher for cataract surgery when compared to patients undergoing other elective, low-risk outpatient procedures—such as cardiac catheterization or screening colonoscopy.
However, they found that these patients experienced fewer systemic complications—such as myocardial infarction or stroke—than did patients undergoing the other low-risk procedures. These results held true even in cases where anesthesia experts were not present for the cataract surgery, suggesting that for many cataract patients, it may be reasonable to consider doing the procedure without routine anesthesia support.
"It's important to note we only looked at systemic complications and not ophthalmologic outcomes.
Some type of anesthetic and possibly sedation is needed for cataract surgery, Chen noted.
"The risk of the procedure itself used to require general anesthesia with paralysis and inpatient admission. Over time, ophthalmologists improved their technique so it [cataract surgery] is much safer and can be done on an outpatient basis," said Chen. "Often the patient just needs a topical anesthetic such as numbing drops in the eyeball, and, at UCSF anyway, a little fentanyl and midazolam, which are agents a sedation nurse can administer safely."
With U.S. anesthesiologists being asked to staff an increasing number of non-OR procedures, such as endoscopic or interventional radiology procedures where patients tend to be much sicker and the procedure potentially more invasive, there often aren't enough of these specialists go around, Chen said.
"Add to this a general shortage of anesthesiologists since COVID, and it's clear we need to ensure staff resources are used efficiently," said Chen.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
But give me anesthesia for a heart operation, please!
I had cataract surgery with just the eyedrops that numb your eyes, plus valium to calm my nerves. I had multi focal lenses implanted after the cataracts were removed, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made (other than marrying my husband). The surgery lasted 10-15 minutes for each eye, one week apart. Great experience, but make sure you trust your doctor. There are good ones and then there are GREAT ones. Hold out for the GREAT ones.
When I saw the size of the needle they used to put a pain block on the eyeball, I begged to be put under first.
I am going in for cataract surgery in two weeks. How big is that needle? If it as big as you say it will freak me out.
You will be sedated by that point. You might see it, but somehow you won’t manage to care about it. At least I didn’t. And my doctor didn’t put me all the way out. He just “twilighted” me. I was conscious, but my “give a damn” had been shifted into neutral.
CC
Overall, it is a very simple procedure to go through. To me, it was much easier than routine dental work.
Go to youtube if you want to see the numbing procedure. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like that kind of stuff.
I don’t know if I’ll ever need cataract surgery-I know I have mild cataracts, the eye doctor told me I did-but if I ever do, I don’t want to see that needle.
And, don’t EVER try to give me a colonoscopy w/out being sedated!
Good luck! I’m having my right eye done on the 20th of this month. The left will be done on November 4th.
Right eye Oct 26. left eye Nov 9. Good luck to you too!
I asked if I could go without the sedative, doc said sure but it wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be. They both sure turned out well though.
Who’s getting a colonoscopy without some sort of sedation?!?
I wanted to know more about how the surgery was conducted, and there are some very good YouTube videos out there that shows the procedure step by step. If your squeamish about looking at video of real surgery, there are plenty out there that are illustrated......
I have a consultation in November for cataract surgery on my right eye. I’ve had ‘twilight’ twice for stent implantation and I think I could deal with it. I just got out of the hospital for an endarterectomy, and they knocked me out fully for that. Had to spend two days in ICU recovering. I’ve now got a Mensur scar (dueling scar) from my earlobe to my gullet 6 “ long. It looks really nasty.
This seems like more of the forget patient comes first, but ef everyone can for more money for insurance companies.
Corporate medicine kills.
I had both eye cataracts done 2 weeks apart in fall 2020. Had anesthesiologist and line
in me. Not sure what drug was used but it was absolutely painless. I was not totally out and have memories of vivid colors during the procedures which I watched.
Now however, I just had first injection in left eye for wet macular degeneration. No anesthesiologist and just topical anesthetic. It hurt like hell and I dread the remaining shots...they go right into white of the eye.
Good luck.
You will be fine... had both eyes done...
I paid more the astigmatism lenses... I now have 20/20 vision for distance... been wearing glasses since I was 11...
Need reading glasses now...
So much better..!!!
BTW... Do the light anesthesia if they offer... I was in a twilight sleep... Was pretty much awake for each eye
My dad, who was an anesthesiologist, refused anesthesia for both his cataract surgeries 15 years ago.
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