“What anesthesia do you get for cataract surgery?”
I have cataracts and will have surgery. What anesthesia do you get for cataract surgery?
6 Answers
OphthalmologistOphthalmologist
Hi there
Most surgeries are done under “topical” anesthesia which means anesthetic eye drops and some lidocaine solution inside your eye. Since cataract surgery is mostly painless that is usually enough. You may get IV sedation if you are nervous. Some surgeons prefer to give you an injection behind the eye and slightly more sedation. It’s always best to discuss this prior to your scheduled date with your eye surgeon so you are emotionally prepared. At any rate majority of people have a positive experience during their cataract surgery.
Good luck!
Julia Giyaur MD
Most surgeries are done under “topical” anesthesia which means anesthetic eye drops and some lidocaine solution inside your eye. Since cataract surgery is mostly painless that is usually enough. You may get IV sedation if you are nervous. Some surgeons prefer to give you an injection behind the eye and slightly more sedation. It’s always best to discuss this prior to your scheduled date with your eye surgeon so you are emotionally prepared. At any rate majority of people have a positive experience during their cataract surgery.
Good luck!
Julia Giyaur MD
In most cases it is done with topical anesthesia (drops), often the surgeon will give you a mild sedative like Demerol, or they may use Versed. You do not have to be put out like in other major surgeries.
Usually topical eyedrops with lidocaine intraocularly . Also an anesthesiologist giving you IV sedation with versed. There are variations in anesthetic techniques . You would need to talk to the specific ophthalmologist to find out what they use.
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Topical or intracameral with IV sedation.
Usually IV sedation to relax you and eye drops to numb the eye during cataract surgery.
