Subjective opinions of patients about step-by-step cataract surgery preparation

Abstract

Purpose: We analyzed the subjective feelings and opinions of patients regarding modified cataract phacoemulsification procedures. Patients and Methods: A consecutive case series of patients undergoing phacoemulsifica-tion of cataracts, who completed questionnaires designed by the authors to evaluate their subjective opinions about hospital admission, medical examination, and intraoperative procedures carried out at the operating theater. Results: Two hundred patients (82 men and 118 women) were included in the study. Subjects aged ≥65 years more often than younger respondents presented negative opinions about hospital admission procedures (15% vs. 2.5%, p=0.032) and were less satisfied with physicians’ explanations about the matter of phacoemulsification (71.3% vs. 92.5%, p=0.004), type of artificial lens to be implanted (43.8% vs. 85%, p<0.001), and potential complications (69.4% vs. 95%, p<0.001). The most unpleasant intraoperative experiences included venipuncture (35.5%), artificial lens implantation (30.5%), and peeling off of a sterile surgical drape (24%). Conclusion: Persons aged ≥65 years presented with negative opinions about routine procedures related to phacoemulsification. Older age seems to be associated with less tolerance to time-consuming bureaucratic procedures and a lesser understanding of the specific stages of the surgery. Older patients should be notified in advance about all routine procedures to be carried out and provided with a rationale for these activities. Trial Registration: The study was registered on clinicaltrials. gov (NCT04327856).