Clinical Outcomes of Sedation in Cataract Surgery Performed Under Topical Anesthesia

Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed ophthalmologic procedures and is commonly carried out under topical anesthesia. Although topical anesthesia provides adequate analgesia, some patients may experience anxiety, discomfort, or difficulty in maintaining cooperation during the procedure. Sedation is frequently used as an adjunct to topical anesthesia to improve patient comfort and surgical conditions; however, concerns remain regarding potential respiratory and hemodynamic adverse effects, particularly in elderly patients.

This prospective, randomized clinical study is designed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of different sedation strategies in patients undergoing cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia. Adult patients scheduled for elective cataract surgery will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 will receive topical anesthesia alone without sedation. Group 2 will receive topical anesthesia combined with intravenous midazolam. Group 3 will receive topical anesthesia combined with intravenous midazolam and fentanyl. Randomization will be performed using a predefined allocation method to ensure balanced group distribution.

All patients will be monitored using standard intraoperative monitoring, including non-invasive blood pressure, electrocardiography, and peripheral oxygen saturation. Supplemental oxygen will be administered when clinically indicated. Sedative agents will be administered according to standardized dosing protocols. Intraoperative sedation depth will be assessed using a validated sedation scale, and hemodynamic and respiratory parameters will be recorded throughout the procedure.

The primary outcome of the study is postoperative patient satisfaction, which will be assessed using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale - Turkish version (ISAS-T). Secondary outcomes include intraoperative sedation level, surgeon satisfaction, hemodynamic stability, respiratory events, additional sedative requirements, and the occurrence of sedation-related adverse effects. Surgeon satisfaction will be evaluated using a standardized Likert-type scale.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the impact of different sedation strategies on patient satisfaction and overall clinical outcomes in cataract surgery performed under topical anesthesia. These findings may contribute to optimizing perioperative sedation practices and improving patient-centered care in ophthalmic anesthesia.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 50 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
• Patients scheduled for elective unilateral cataract surgery
• Surgery planned to be performed under topical anesthesia
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent after being fully informed about the study

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal to participate in the study or withdrawal of consent at any stage of the study
• Known intolerance or contraindication to sedative and/or opioid medications
• Presence of significant cardiac arrhythmias
• Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Hepatic or renal failure
• Inability to cooperate due to cognitive impairment or hearing disability
• Opioid dependence
• Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV heart failure
• Conversion to general anesthesia for any reason during surgery