Yes. You can be put to sleep for cataract surgery in the UK using general anaesthesia.

General anaesthesia is a combination of medications that will make you completely unconscious (‘put to sleep’) and therefore unable to feel pain. You’ll get help to breathe and your anaesthetist will keep a close eye on the vital functions of your body. GA is usually used for long, invasive and complicated procedures.

Is it the best way to be anaesthetised for cataract surgery?

No.

Why?

It’s just not necessary.

A general anaesthetic carries more risks and side effects than a local one, especially if you’re elderly. It can affect other parts of your body, such as your breathing or your heart, and your overall recovery will take longer. You won’t be able to go home on the same day and your ability to eat and drink freely will be compromised; your body may not be able to tolerate certain foods and you may feel nauseous.

In addition, you’ll have to wait longer for your operation as waiting lists for surgery under general anaesthetic in the UK are usually longer and some hospitals may not even be able to do it.

However, it’s ultimately your choice. If you still have a preference for a general anaesthetic because you don’t like the idea of being awake and aware during an operation, you should discuss it with your ophthalmologist. It’s important that you understand and agree with what is being proposed.

The benefits of local anaesthesia

Cataract surgery itself lasts no more than 10-15 minutes and you should be in and out of the clinic within a couple of hours. Using a local anaesthetic allows for a quick recovery and for the operation to be performed as an outpatient procedure; it undoubtedly carries fewer risks and side effects than sedation with general anaesthetic.

A local anaesthetic can be administered in the form of topical drops or injection and allows your surgeon to communicate with you during surgery. It won’t affect other parts of your body and you’ll be able to return to the comfort of your own home on the same day (although a friend or relative should drive you and you shouldn’t get a taxi). You can also continue to take most of your normal medicines and resume your usual eating and drinking habits as soon as you feel like it.

Topical drops or injection?

Cataract surgery is so simple and straightforward that it requires little more than a few local, topical drops in your eye to numb it before the procedure gets underway. Drops are the first choice for many ophthalmologists as your eye will feel more comfortable immediately after the operation and be less red than if you were to have an injection.

The advantages of drops are compelling: faster surgery, faster recovery, no need for an eye shield, no consequent double vision and no redness.

How do drops work?

Drops are fast-acting and effective in blocking pain signals from your eye to your brain. Once you’re comfortable your ophthalmologist will administer the topical drops, which will spread over your eye as you blink and numb the surface. Your surgery can then proceed without pain and it’ll be over in a flash.

Here to help

Eye specialists replace millions of cataracts every year across the globe. It’s an incredibly common and highly successful procedure that’s also quick and painless. However, you may be understandably nervous about going through a surgical procedure on your eye(s) and you’re likely to have many questions.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll gladly help to alleviate any concerns that you may have.