{"id":4503,"date":"2020-07-07T05:28:06","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T05:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neoretina.com\/blog\/?p=4503"},"modified":"2025-12-04T08:53:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:53:56","slug":"cataract-surgery-safety-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neoretina.com\/blog\/cataract-surgery-safety-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Cataract surgery safety during Covid 19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cataract<\/span> is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. This results in blurring of vision and if left untreated it can even cause blindness. <\/span>Cataract surgery<\/span> is the commonest surgery performed in the world. <\/span>It is also the most safely performed operation with the highest success rate. <\/p>\n

Since the past 3 decades, phacoemulsification or <\/span>phaco<\/span> with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the preferred technique for cataract surgery. <\/span> It involves a microincision (<2mm) into the eye, through which cataract is removed by ultrasonic energy and an artificial lens or IOL is implanted to restore the vision. The surgery typically lasts not more than 10 to 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

Cataract Surgery: Maintaining safety from COVID-19 Infection<\/b><\/h3>\n

During this <\/span>coronavirus<\/span> pandemic<\/span> the most important concern for patients with cataract is the risk of acquiring <\/span>covid19<\/span> infection during surgery. So let\u2019s first understand how a coronavirus infection may be acquired. The most common source of infection is inhaling aerosol generated during coughing, speaking or sneezing by an infected person. Second is through fomites or surfaces. <\/span><\/p>\n

The virus survives on hard surfaces and only if a person touches his nose, mouth or eyes, he may infect himself with the virus. These two methods of acquiring infection may be avoided by wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene and avoiding touching the face, as we already know by now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next we need to understand what happens during cataract surgery. There is no or minimal aerosol generation during cataract surgery. This is because it is a <\/span>microincision surgery<\/span> with self sealing wounds and the patient’s face is completely covered with a sterile drape during surgery. (Figure 1).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"cataract<\/p>\n

Figure 1. Eye draped before cataract surgery.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Secondly, since the surgery lasts only 10 to 15 minutes, the exposure time is too short to acquire infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though the risk of acquiring Covid19 infection is almost nil during cataract surgery, it is also important to know about the efforts taken by an <\/span>NABH accredited eye hospital<\/span> like <\/span>Neoretina<\/span> in providing patients with the highest standard of safety:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. All patients and attenders are screened at the entrance. Temperature is checked and hand sanitizer is provided.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Entry without a mask is not allowed. In case a patient walks in without a mask, a mask is provided by the hospital.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Only one attender is allowed per patient.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Patients are encouraged to visit the hospital only by appointment<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. The hospital staff and doctors wear essential personal protective equipment (PPE).<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Regular sanitization and disinfection of surfaces is performed throughout the day.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Strict hand hygiene protocols are in place. <\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Social distancing<\/span> is practiced and only alternate chairs are available for seating in the waiting area.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Inside the operation theatre:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n