Uncomplicated phacoemulsification and first-day review: the patient's perspective.

PURPOSE To evaluate patients'opinions regarding first-day review following uncomplicated phacoemulsification. METHODS A prospective questionnaire-based survey was conducted on consecutive patients at the time of listing for day-case phacoemulsification. Data collected included demographic details, proposed anaesthetic technique, first or second eye surgery and postcode. Statistical analysis was undertaken with the unpaired t-test, the chi2-test with Yates' correction for small numbers or Fisher's exact test, and Kendal's rank correlation, as appropriate. RESULTS 100 patients (59% female; mean age 74.2 (12.6) years) were recruited. 87% preferred to return to hospital for their first-day review. This result was not significantly affected by sex, proposed anaesthetic technique, first eye surgery or postcode area. Only patients < 65 years old preferred not to return (p<0.02). CONCLUSIONS In this population, patients preferred to return for first-day review following uncomplicated phacoemulsification. There may be some variance in the opinions of surgeons and patients regarding this issue, and the patient's preferences should be taken into account to provide optimum quality of care.