Topical Anesthesia
Using numbing eyedrops and gel, rather than injections with needles into the eyesocket, cataract surgery can be performed quickly and safely. Because no needles are used around the eyeball, there is no risk of perforating the eye or causing bleeding into the eyesocket. Therefore, patients on blood thinners (because of a previous stroke or heart condition) can continue those medicines, rather than having to stop them as was previously required. Finally, the use of numbing eyedrops preserves the function of the both the eyelids and the optic nerve. Hence no patch is required after surgery, and patients typically recover useful vision within an hour, rather than having to wait until the patch is removed the day following surgery to see again.
