Local anesthesia is most commonly used for cataract surgery. It is given to stop pain in a given area of the body. The patient is still conscious while under local anesthesia and may still feel pressure during an operation, but they won’t experience pain.
Why Is Local Anesthetic Used During Cataract Surgery?
Local anesthetic is the most common form of anesthesia used during cataract surgery because it allows the patient to be conscious and responsive to any instruction. The procedure itself only lasts around 15 minutes, and it is minimally invasive.
Since there are risks with higher levels of anesthesia, it is usually recommended to use the lowest level that is appropriate for a given procedure.
The location of the surgery also affects which type of anesthetic is used, making local anesthetic a very safe and effective option.
What Happens if You Move or Blink During Cataract Surgery?
You don’t have to worry about holding your eyes open or not blinking during cataract surgery.
An eye doctor will use eye drops that also act as an anesthetic. They will help to numb the eye and reduce pain and discomfort. Once the eye becomes completely numb, a doctor will use a device that holds the eyelid open, rendering the patient unable to blink.
This tool is called an eye holder, and this device will keep the lid open while the surgical procedure is performed. Once the procedure is completed, the eye holder is removed, and the patient is able to blink and move their eye freely again.
Can You Be Put Under general anesthesia for Cataract Surgery?
General anesthesia is only utilized for cataract surgery on very rare occasions. Patients who are put under during cataract surgery generally are often squeamish and incapable of cooperation in a surgical setting. Most often, this form of anesthesia is not used for this type of surgery.
Will I Still Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery provides noticeable benefits for patients nearly immediately after the procedure. However, some patients may still find it necessary to wear glasses to have clear and unimpeded vision, although complications related to cataracts are often cured.
Cataract surgery returns vision to what it was before the cataract formation. It does not address vision issues that are not related to the cataract.
Patients who receive local anesthesia for other procedures are generally okay to drive immediately after treatment, but patients cannot drive after cataract surgery simply because their vision is impaired.