Bilateral cataract extraction can be safely done within 48 hours

BMJ 1999;319:579 ( 28 August )

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Bilateral cataract extraction can be safely done within 48 hours

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR $---$ Gray et al highlighted the benefit of bilateral cataract surgery, particularly if the second eye is operated on withinsix weeks of the first.¹

We agree with their view that surgery should be directed at those with most need. Nevertheless, Gray et al also recognisethat an increase in the availability of cataract surgery wouldhelp to satisfy increased demand. A step towards achieving thisand accomplishing surgery in both eyes is simultaneous bilateralcataract extraction. Although this does not greatly reduce operatingtime, it halves the number of outpatient visits required. However,simultaneous bilateral extraction is controversial, as shown whenthe issue was raised in the Journal of Cataract and RefractiveSurgery in 1997. ² ³

Most conservative surgeons agree that simultaneous extraction is appropriate only in unusual circumstances $---$ for example, whenthe surgery requires general anaesthesia and repeated generalanaesthesia represents a risk to the patient. The principal . . . [Full text of this article]

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