Kga. Eong et al., Subjective visual experience during extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation under retrobulbar anaesthesia, EYE, 13, 1999, pp. 325-328
Purpose To investigate the subjective visual experience of patients during
cataract surgery under retrobulbar anaesthesia.
Methods One hundred cataract patients who underwent routine extracapsular c
ataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation under retrobulbar anae
sthesia were interviewed by the authors on the same day after their operati
on regarding their visual experience in the operated eye during surgery.
Results Forty-three men and 57 women were included in the study. Their mean
age was 68.4 years (range 40-87 years). Their pre-operative best corrected
visual acuity ranged from 6/12 to perception of light. Eighty-four eyes ha
d no other ocular pathology apart from cataract. Twenty patients reported n
o light perception during the surgery. The rest reported that they could se
e light (80 patients), one or more colours (56 patients), movements (39 pat
ients), flashes (36 patients), instruments (16 patients) and/or the surgeon
's fingers or hands (10 patients). The colours seen included red (29 patien
ts), yellow (29 patients), green (12 patients), blue (11 patients) and oran
ge (2 patients). Fifteen patients saw a spectrum of colours similar to that
of the rainbow. Forty-four patients reported that the brightness of light
changed during the operation. Five patients found their visual experience f
rightening. There was no correlation between those who found the experience
frightening and the sex or age of patient, presence of coexisting ocular p
athology, duration of operation, whether the operation was the first or sec
ond cataract operation in the patient, or the type of visual sensation expe
rienced.
Conclusion Many patients undergoing cataract surgery under retrobulbar anae
sthesia experience a variety of visual sensations that may be frightening i
n a small proportion of cases.