April 29, 2026
2 min read
Key takeaways:
- Patients were particularly pleased about not having to come back another day for a second surgery.
- They appreciated empathetic communication before, during and after the surgery.
Patients reported satisfaction with having cataract surgery in both eyes on the same day and highlighted communication as a key factor in making it go smoothly, according to a study.
“Cataracts are predominantly age related, and as the population ages, the need for treatment continues to rise,” Trang Truong Laursen, a PhD student at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, and colleagues wrote in Global Journal of Cataract Surgery and Research in Ophthalmology. “In response, health care systems have explored innovative solutions, such as same-day bilateral cataract surgery, which reduces waiting times and resource consumption.”
Patients reported satisfaction with having cataract surgery in both eyes on the same day and highlighted communication as a key factor in making it go smoothly. Image: Adobe Stock
To learn more about patient experiences with same-day bilateral cataract surgery, Laursen and colleagues conducted phone interviews with 20 patients who underwent the procedure.
The interviews were conducted between 7 and 9 days after the surgery and lasted 21 to 36 minutes. They consisted of open-ended questions about patients’ experiences and thoughts about the surgery.
The researchers conducted a thematic analysis of the answers, identifying three overarching themes: communication, the experience of the surgery and the period of time after the surgery.
According to the analysis, patients expressed satisfaction with the procedure and were glad it was done in one sitting.
“Most participants quickly felt that the surgery had a positive effect on their vision,” the researchers wrote. “They specifically emphasized that not having to return to the hospital for a second appointment was a highly positive aspect.”
They added, “The participants describe their experience with the surgery on the first eye as so pleasant that they were eager to proceed with the second eye immediately, even though they were given the option to discontinue the surgery and have the second eye operated on at a later time.”
Patients said ophthalmologists, nurses and staff were calm and empathetic, providing them with information about the surgery both written and verbally.
“The thorough information makes the participants feel secure about what is going to happen, as they are reassured by having everything explained to them in advance in a calm setting,” the researchers wrote.
Patients also highlighted that having things explained to them during the surgery “greatly alleviates their nervousness,” according to the researchers.
“They particularly highlight the importance of information about sounds and machines but also note that casual small talk from the nurse, for example, can be calming,” they wrote. “One participant experienced that there was a lot of silence in the operating room and explained that he was missing information about what was happening around him and how far along the surgery was.”
The overall results indicate that “empathetic communication, before, during and after” same-day bilateral cataract surgery helps ensure a satisfying procedure, Laursen and colleagues wrote.
“Same-day bilateral cataract surgery is well received by patients, who express satisfaction and even a willingness to recommend the approach to future patients,” the researchers wrote. “Insights from this study, along with research on health-economic benefits and favorable complication rates, may pave the way for the wider implementation of same-day cataract surgery, helping to address future resource challenges in the health care system.”
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