Abstract
Purpose: :
In France in 2008, newly operated patients having cataract surgery are usually seen by their surgeon the day after surgery. The interest of this day-after visit has been undergoing re-assessment for some years but this visit remains widely performed in France. The aim of this study is to assess if this visit change the management of our patients.
Methods: :
One hundred and three consecutive patients undergoing cataract surgery were prospectively included (82% were outpatients). Peroperative events were noted. The day after surgery, we monitored ocular tension, the anterior segment (cornea, inflammation of the anterior chamber, position of the IOL, presence of a seidel), the fundus and a change in the postoperative prescription in comparison with a "standard" prescription (dexamethasone and a non steroidal anti-inflammatory eyedrop, each administered three times daily during one month , as well as a mydriatic administered once a day for one week).
Results: :
Six patients had ocular hypertension that exceeded 24 mmHg, fourteen had a corneal oedema, six had corneal erosion, two had a seidel, one had an anterior subluxation of the IOL, one had retinal detachment and twenty-four (22,6%) had a change in their prescription when compared to our standard prescription.
Conclusions: :
A lot of studies have shown that the day-after-surgery visit was not mandatory. The main objective of this visit was to look for ocular hypertension or major inflammation of the anterior chamber (especially in glaucoma or uveitic patients). More rarely, we could see a seidel in front of the wound, or a bad position of the IOL, complication that may require surgery. The day-after-surgery visit is probably not essential for all patients but should rather be targeted to patients who could have complications, with a personal prescription.This visit is also the appropriate time to re-explain again to the patient symptoms that would require an emergency visit (such as pain, redness, loss of vision).
Keywords: cataract • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower