Subjective visual experience during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the subjective visual experience of patients curing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation under topical anesthesia. Design: Postoperative questionnaire survey. Participants: The study cohort consisted of 52 patients with cataracts. There were 18 male (34.6%) and 34 female (65.4%) patients. Their mean (±SD) age was 67.5 (±10.8) years. Intervention: The patients underwent routine phacoemulsification and IOL implantation under topical anesthesia. Main Outcome Measures: The patients were interviewed on the same day after their operation regarding their visual experience in the operated eye during surgery. Results: All patients (100%) reported that they could see at least some light during the surgery. Some patients reported they could also see one or more colors (50 patients, 96.2%), movements (32 patients, 61.5%), flashes (24 patients, 46.2%), the surgeon's fingers/hands (13 patients, 25%), instruments (12 patients, 23.1%), and/or the surgeon (4 patients, 7.7%). The colors seen included red (24 patients, 46.2%), yellow (23 patents, 44.2%), blue (12 patients, 23.1%), green (7 patients, 13.5%), and orange (6 patients, 11.5%). Eight patients (15.4%) saw the spectrum of colors similar to that of the rainbow. Twenty-four patients (46.2%) reported that the brightness of light changed during the course of the operation. Eight patients (15.4%) found their visual experience frightening. There was no statistically significant association between those who found the visual experience frightening and the sex or age of the patient, a history of cataract operation in the fellow eye, the type of visual sensation experienced, or the presence of coexisting ocular pathology. Conclusion: All patients undergoing phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia experience a variety of visual sensations that may be frightening in a small proportion of patients. (C) 2000 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.