Ambulatory ophthalmic anesthesia: what is important

With modern surgical techniques evolving rapidly beyond cataract extraction with lens replacement, less patients require overnight hospital facilities following their ophthalmic surgeries. Implementation of rational patient-adapted protocols facilitates the perioperative management of rising case-loads. Preoperative assessment includes identifying patients at risk of postoperative delirium and initiating nonpharmacological measures to minimize its incidence and duration. After the administration of retro-, peribulbar or sub-Tenon's anesthesia, anesthesiologists must be on the alert for adverse events such as retrobulbar hemorrhage, seizures, and brainstem anesthesia.