First Author: C.Kanonidou GREECE
Co Author(s): E. Kanonidou E. Lokovitis A. Papagianni L. Papazisis
Purpose:
Cataract and lens implant surgery is the most common surgical procedure in ophthalmological practice. Our purpose was to evaluate the main concerns of cataractous patients regarding the cataract surgery procedure itself as well as the pre-operative and post-operative care.
Setting:
: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Veria, Veria, Greece.
Methods:
167 patients (79 male and 88 female) participated in the investigation. Their mean age was 72.3 years old (SD 4.73). None of them had undergone cataract surgery or any other ocular intervention in the past. All were high school graduates and they occupied themselves with agriculture. The patients wrote their questions and express their concerns in a piece of paper spontaneously.
Results:
Regarding their preoperative care, their questions were: whether they should continue to use any topical or systemic medication, particularly antiglaucoma eye drops and anticoagulant therapy (aspirin or coumadin); whether they could instill their eye drops or take their pills on the morning of surgery and whether they should take their insulin (diabetic patients); whether they can eat or drink the morning of surgery and whether they must be accompanied by somebody on the day of surgery. Regarding the surgery: whether it is laser surgery, the duration of their residency at the hospital, what they should wear, whether they would be awake during the surgery, whether it is painful and whether the intraocular lens implant has an expiration date. Regarding the postoperative care: whether they would have stitches, whether their eye would be painful, whether they would wear an eye patch and use topical /systemic medication after surgery and for how long; what type of physical activity they are allowed to have (wash their hair, take a bath, watch television, do paperwork, drive); how soon they will see clearly, whether they will need glasses and how long it would take before they return to their daily routine.
Conclusions:
The evaluation of cataractous patients questions and concerns regarding the procedure itself as well as the pre- and post- operative management is of great importance. The relevant findings should alert the health professionals so as to spend more time educating their patients and should also encourage the production and distribution of information regarding cataract surgery through education leaflets or wall mounted posters.
Financial Disclosure:
None
