Counselling Patients For Cataract Surgery An Assessment Of Patient Perceptions In Order To Optimise Outcomes

This study aims to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of preoperative counselling for cataract surgery patients, focusing on their intraoperative experiences. By identifying gaps in patient understanding and preparedness, we seek to improve counselling practices to enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed patients’ sensory perceptions such as visual, auditory, and tactile, during surgery and compared these with the information provided preoperatively. The findings will contribute to standardizing and optimizing patient education, ensuring more comprehensive and reassuring preoperative guidance.

Study has been done in a large tertiary care ophthalmology theatre, Solihull Hospital, in Birmingham, UK, between December 2024 to February 2025.

This was a retrospective survey conducted at the University Hospitals of Birmingham, Solihull Hospital Ophthalmology Theatre targeting all cataract surgery patients. Data collection was performed using a pre-prepared questionnaire administered immediately after post-surgery. The questionnaire was designed to capture patient experiences, levels of preparedness, and perceptions of preoperative counselling. The questionnaire assesses patients’ anxiety levels, pain scores, and satisfaction with preoperative counselling. Additionally, it evaluates patients’ understanding of potential visual, auditory, and tactile sensations during surgery.

A total of 106 patients (mean age 73 years) participated. Fifty female and 56 male patients included. Patients underwent surgery with topical anaesthesia (55.6%) and sub-Tenon’s anaesthesia (44.4%). Preoperative counselling varied in effectiveness; 63.6% recalled being informed about sensory experiences, while 36.4% felt inadequately briefed and preferred more detailed information. Pain perception was low, with 90,6% experiencing no significant discomfort and 9.4% reporting mild but non-distressing pain. For those who experience pain were reported ‘’pressure sensation’’ by 33%. When the different modes of anaesthesia were compared, there was no significant difference. Main causes for anxiety were visual inputs by 60,3% and auditory by 48%.

This study underscores the importance of comprehensive preoperative counselling in cataract surgery to enhance patient preparedness and satisfaction. While surgical risks are routinely addressed, sensory experiences—particularly auditory, visual, and tactile aspects—are often overlooked. Bridging this gap is essential, as insufficient counselling may heighten perioperative anxiety. Our findings advocate for the routine inclusion of sensory information in consent discussions and preoperative counselling. Integrating visual aids, written materials, and enhanced communication training can further improve patient understanding and optimize the overall surgical experience.