general anesthesia for cataract surgery?

The doc I saw yesterday said he planned to put me under for the
cataract surgery. He said I was nervous.

I am nervous, and I know it's a complex cataract, so will take more
than just a few minutes, but ... is this a good idea? I thought there
were other kinds of drugs that left you still conscious but too doped
up to be nervous.
(I've never been under any of them, as the only surgeries I've had
were root canals. Those docs offered me laughing gas, but that meant
having a gas mask over my face the whole time, which was an even
bigger stress to me than the surgery, so we abandoned that and used
local.)

What is normally done and why?

thanks,
Liz

In article
<ae8c6302-e53e-4587-9c93-(E-Mail Removed)>,
Liz <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> The doc I saw yesterday said he planned to put me under for the
> cataract surgery. He said I was nervous.
>
> I am nervous, and I know it's a complex cataract, so will take more
> than just a few minutes, but ... is this a good idea? I thought there
> were other kinds of drugs that left you still conscious but too doped
> up to be nervous.
> (I've never been under any of them, as the only surgeries I've had
> were root canals. Those docs offered me laughing gas, but that meant
> having a gas mask over my face the whole time, which was an even
> bigger stress to me than the surgery, so we abandoned that and used
> local.)
>
> What is normally done and why?

I don't know what is normally done in the US. My HMO generally tries
not to knock people out for surgery.

In addition to the two cataract surgeries (both routine), I have had a
hernia repair (major abdominal surgery) and a cataract repair (minor,
but two full hours), all while awake. I had a another cataract repair
when out of state, so my HMO didn't do it. It was 2 1/2 hours and the
doctor suggested that I wouldn't want to be awake for it. I took his
word for it, although my second cataract surgery was no problem,
although I was completely awake for it.

I have posted about this before, so you can try to look those up, if
you'd like. Based on my experiences, I prefer being awake, as long as
there is sufficient tranquilizer (I don't deal well with blood, pain or
knives).

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
(E-Mail Removed)

In article
<dabel-(E-Mail Removed)>,
Dan Abel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
> In addition to the two cataract surgeries (both routine), I have had a
> hernia repair (major abdominal surgery) and a cataract repair (minor,
> but two full hours), all while awake. I had a another cataract repair
> when out of state, so my HMO didn't do it. It was 2 1/2 hours and the
> doctor suggested that I wouldn't want to be awake for it. I took his
> word for it, although my second cataract surgery was no problem,
> although I was completely awake for it.
>

Wow. My hat is off to you - I just cannot imagine not being able to
move my eyes for a minute let alone hours.

David - who will go for full asleep when getting eye surgery

In article <postings-(E-Mail Removed)>,
David <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> In article
> <dabel-(E-Mail Removed)>,
> Dan Abel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >
> > In addition to the two cataract surgeries (both routine), I have had a
> > hernia repair (major abdominal surgery) and a cataract repair (minor,
> > but two full hours), all while awake. I had a another cataract repair
> > when out of state, so my HMO didn't do it. It was 2 1/2 hours and the
> > doctor suggested that I wouldn't want to be awake for it. I took his
> > word for it, although my second cataract surgery was no problem,
> > although I was completely awake for it.
> >
>
> Wow. My hat is off to you - I just cannot imagine not being able to
> move my eyes for a minute let alone hours.
>
> David - who will go for full asleep when getting eye surgery

Fortunately, I don't remember any details, but I don't think that you
have any voluntary eye control on the operated eye. At least one time,
I remember them putting a metal clip on the eye to keep it open.

There's an IV in you the whole time. Once I didn't get enough drugs,
and was quite unhappy (and switched surgeons), but the other times, I
had enough "happy juice" that I didn't care what they did. The drugs
seemed short acting though. I believe I was released from the hospital
one half hour after my last (two hour) surgery.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
(E-Mail Removed)

I had cataract surgery with topical anesthesia (eye drops). I could
feel pressure, but it was not painful. If you are very nervous, light
IV sedation might be an option. General anesthesia might be
appropriate for a demented or uncooperative patient, which don't apply
in your case. If the surgeon insists on general anesthesia, then
consult someone else.

Dear Liz,

Subject: "Complex" Cataract?

Could you explain?

My own experience was that I was obviously "nervous" aboutt this
issue. Who would'nt be?

I am certain they gave me smoething to "calm" me down.

The actual "operation" took about 15 to 20 minutes.

You have a very bright light in your eye -- that is annoying.

There is some discomfort -- for a period of time.

I don't know what is "normal" here. The "old" method probably
requires extensive anathesia. If that is the case -- I would find a
more "modern" cataract surgeon.

Again, no one can give you advice here, I can only state my
experience.

If I were you, I would search for friends who have had this surgery,
and find out what they went through. That is how I "found" the
ophthalmologist to do my surgery.

Best,

Otis



On Jan 10, 2:39*pm, Liz <fraternobom...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The doc I saw yesterday said he planned to put me under for the
> cataract surgery. *He said I was nervous.
>
> I am nervous, and I know it's a complex cataract, so will take more
> than just a few minutes, but ... is this a good idea? *I thought there
> were other kinds of drugs that left you still conscious but too doped
> up to be nervous.
> (I've never been under any of them, as the only surgeries I've had
> were root canals. Those docs offered me laughing gas, but that meant
> having a gas mask over my face the whole time, which was an even
> bigger stress to me than the surgery, so we abandoned that and used
> local.)
>
> What is normally done and why?
>
> thanks,
> Liz

The norm for cataract surgery here in Chicago is topical anesthesia
(eye drops) with or without light IV sedation. Most surgeons want
their patient to be alert enough to be able to follow instructions.
I'd suggest that you avoid the use of injectable anesthesia, which
raises the risk level. General anesthesia definitely carries the most
risk, and I don't see how this additional risk would be justified in
your case.

In article
<f77af952-7226-4ef0-9f9a-(E-Mail Removed)>,
Jane <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

General anesthesia might be
> appropriate for a demented or uncooperative patient, which don't apply
> in your case.

Sez YOU. The thought of some bloke who might or might not have had a
fight with his missus or be having a bad day poking at my eyes with a
scalpel is enough to make me well and truly demented!

If the surgeon insists on general anesthesia,

Bugger what he wants, he's getting paid to do what I want, and it is
what I want that is important

David

> Bugger what he wants, he's getting paid to do what I want, and it is
> what I want that is important
>
> David

If you wanted to assume the risks of general anesthesia for cataract
surgery, I'm sure that just about all surgeons would go along with
your preference.

On Jan 10, 2:39*pm, Liz <fraternobom...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The doc I saw yesterday said he planned to put me under for the
> cataract surgery. *He said I was nervous.
>
> I am nervous, and I know it's a complex cataract, so will take more
> than just a few minutes, but ... is this a good idea? *I thought there
> were other kinds of drugs that left you still conscious but too doped
> up to be nervous.
> (I've never been under any of them, as the only surgeries I've had
> were root canals. Those docs offered me laughing gas, but that meant
> having a gas mask over my face the whole time, which was an even
> bigger stress to me than the surgery, so we abandoned that and used
> local.)
>
> What is normally done and why?

Usually cataract is done with local, but a general will be used if
there is compelling reason. Surgeons do not take general anesthesia
lightly and I expect your surgeon would not recommend it without a
compelling reason.

I have had a few patients have cataract under general. One was a
woman who faints easily and often; it would be a disaster if she
fainted on the table. Others had complex surgeries or were, due to
various factors, likely to be unable to co operate during surgery.

This is not an issue to be resolved by talking to strangers on the
Internet who are not surgeons and do not know the particulars of your
case. If concerned, discuss this further with your surgeon and the
doctor who will be administering the anesthesia. You could also
request a second opinion about the need for a general. Doctors
usually want you to be fully informed and will gladly recommend
someone for a second opinion.

Judy