Managing anxiety in patients undergoing cataract surgery: an observational study in a Polish hospital

Aim. Anxiety is a negative emotion experienced by individuals when facing a surgical process, which could lead to post-surgical complications such as pain, nausea, and prolonged recovery. Preoperative education is essential as part of nursing care in surgical management. This study describes the prevalence of anxiety in a group of Polish patients before cataract surgery. Material and methods. Ninety-nine patients were consecutively included in the same study group. Anxiety was measured using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). Strict monitoring of vital signs was conducted. Results. A total of 62% women and 38% men participated in the study, with 78% having no previous surgeries, and 32% experiencing severe anxiety. Most patients undergoing cataract surgery for the first time had the need for more information regarding the procedure, especially regarding the type of surgery. Post-surgical pain was observed in 27% of the sample, with a tendency for less pain in those patients who had experienced lower anxiety. It is evident that greater information correlates with lower levels of preoperative anxiety and consequently fewer complications such as pain. Conclusions. Increased individualized information as part of the nursing care plan in the patient care process reduces preoperative anxiety and improves post-surgical pain. Key words: anxiety, education, nursing, professional competence, cataract