Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde
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Klin Monbl Augenheilkd · Jan 2005
[Topical anesthesia as routine procedure in cataract surgery -- evaluation of pain and complications in 1010 cases].
The number of cataract surgeries using topical anesthesia has increased continuously in the United States in the last years. Over 60 % of all cataract surgeons accept this form of anesthesia as first choice in cataract surgery. Surgeons in German-speaking countries still prefer injection anesthesia. Patient pain and complications during cataract surgery under topical anesthesia were recorded in 1010 cases to find out if topical anesthesia will become established as a routine procedure in Germany. ⋯ Topical anesthesia using tetracaine drops with adjunctive intracameral injection of non-preserved lidocaine 1 % is a safe and efficient form of anesthesia in phacoemulsification and is well tolerated by patients. According to the patients' positive assessment and the low rate of complications, drop anesthesia is well suited for clinical routine.