Topical Anesthesia for Cataract & Lens Implant Surgery

Eliminate the risks and side effects of injection

Using topical anesthesia, needles and injection around the eye is not needed for cataract and lens implant surgery. Rather, Dr. Singer uses anesthetic gel to numb the eye prior to the procedure. This considerably improves the safety of the procedure by completely eliminating the risks and side effects of injection, which include: orbital bleeding, perforation of the eye, injury to the optic nerve, respiratory arrest, eyelid drooping, and double vision due to injury to the eye muscle.

Useful information which will help you prepare for the procedure is listed here.
Please read this thoroughly before the day of surgery, and call us if you have any questions.

1. You will be aware of a bright light shining in your eye during the procedure.
2. Dr. Singer will give you simple instructions about where to look during the operation; this will ensure that your eye is in the best possible position for the procedure.
3. You do not have to worry about blinking at the wrong time. A special instrument will take care of your eyelids, and since the eye will be numb it will not feel the need to blink.
4. Eye drops are instilled repeatedly during the surgery to keep the cornea moist. Although the front of the eye is already very numb, you will still be aware of the sensation of the drops hitting the eye each time; that does not mean that the “freezing” is not working. The eyelids can still feel the drops. Some patients have the feeling that their eye is “under water”.
5. You will be aware that Dr. Singer is working with your eye through the operation. On occasion there will be slight pressure or minor discomfort for a very short time. Surgery is usually 15-20 minutes. Don’t be worried about this discomfort; we find that as long as patients have foreknowledge of minor discomfort during surgery and that this is normal, they can easily take it in stride.
6. You will hear buzzing, clicking, tones, and beeping sounds of ultrasound machines when the cataract is being broken up and vacuumed out.
7. The very best thing you can do during the operation is pretend you are lying in bed at home. Trust Dr. Singer and the staff to do the very best work possible and you will find that it is so. Remind yourself, when you become aware of something slightly unpleasant, that it is meant to be that way and that the discomfort will soon pass. Do not allow yourself to “tighten up”.

If anything is bothering you while you are in the operating room, please tell the staff immediately about it. Additional anesthetic drops can be given, and the anesthesia person is immediately available to provide intravenous sedative medication to bring your stress under control.