LASIK Eye Center of Silicon Valley - Dr. Gary Kawesch
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Anesthesia for Cataract Surgery
Traditionally, there are three types of anesthesia that are used for cataract surgery:
• Local anesthesia
• Topical anesthesia
• General anesthesia
Because other anesthesia forms have made it unnecessary, general anesthesia is no longer used for cataract surgery. Local and topical anesthesia are now routinely used, and the best one for you depends largely on a discussion between you and your eye surgeon.
Local anesthesia is injected in the upper and lower portions of your eyeball. This type of anesthesia both numbs your eye and prevents it from moving during surgery.
Topical anesthesia is in the form of eye drops. Like local anesthesia, the eye drops numb your sensitivity, but topical anesthesia will not prevent your eye from moving. A major advantage to topical anesthesia is that it removes patient anxiety about needle injections around the eye.
The only way to choose anesthesia is to discuss the options with an eye surgeon. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and your eye surgeon can discuss these aspects as well as any concerns or questions you may have.
If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for cataract surgery and live in Santa Clara, California, or the surrounding areas, please contact the experienced eye surgeons at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley to schedule a consultation.
• Local anesthesia
• Topical anesthesia
• General anesthesia
Because other anesthesia forms have made it unnecessary, general anesthesia is no longer used for cataract surgery. Local and topical anesthesia are now routinely used, and the best one for you depends largely on a discussion between you and your eye surgeon.
Local anesthesia is injected in the upper and lower portions of your eyeball. This type of anesthesia both numbs your eye and prevents it from moving during surgery.
Topical anesthesia is in the form of eye drops. Like local anesthesia, the eye drops numb your sensitivity, but topical anesthesia will not prevent your eye from moving. A major advantage to topical anesthesia is that it removes patient anxiety about needle injections around the eye.
The only way to choose anesthesia is to discuss the options with an eye surgeon. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and your eye surgeon can discuss these aspects as well as any concerns or questions you may have.
If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for cataract surgery and live in Santa Clara, California, or the surrounding areas, please contact the experienced eye surgeons at the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley to schedule a consultation.
posted by Megan P at 7:33 AM
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Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley
Better Sight at the Speed of Light
San Jose Clinical Office/Surgery Center
606 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129
Laser Eye Center of the East Bay
5790 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
1-800-725-0740
Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley
Better Sight at the Speed of Light
San Jose Clinical Office/Surgery Center
606 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129
Laser Eye Center of the East Bay
5790 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
1.800.725.0740 
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