“What type of anesthesia is used for cataract surgery?”
I am a 60-year-old female and I will have cataract surgery next month. What type of anesthesia is used for cataract surgery?
11 Answers
AnesthesiologistOphthalmologist
Local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.
Topical drops
Typical eye drops to numb your eye and “twilight sedation.” Using an IV medicine.
Usually local anesthetic eye drops with mild sedation IV drugs.
Generally, local topical eye anesthesia and a mild sedative agent to relax and sedate you is generally all that is needed, and a very safe way to provide anesthesia for this procedure.
Anesthesia options for cataract surgery include retro or peribulbar block with or without sedation...or topical with mild-moderate sedation.
Topical anesthetic drops or an injection of anesthetic around the eye plus intravenous relaxants.
Typically the Ophthalmologist will inject local anesthetic behind or around the eye after that anesthesiologist has administered intravenous medication for sedation prior to the local anesthetic injection. After the initial dose of sedative, the medication will have a lessened effect such that the patient is typically aware of what is happening during surgery. The eye is anesthetized by the local anesthetic and thus there should be no pain. In very rare instances, general anesthesia is employed but that is the exception, not the rule.
Topical or Optic nerve block in both iv sedation required
Most cataract surgery is done with topical sedation. Drops in the eye will numb the outer chamber of the eye while the surgery is completed. Many locations will offer some sort of sedation to make the patient more comfortable during the procedure. If you have special needs or considerations, let your surgeon or anesthesia provider know in advance
Cataract surgery can be done with topical anesthesia/numbing with or without sedation. It usually does not require general anesthesia.
