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May 26, 2006
Cataract surgery results in colorful visual experiences for patients
Eyeworld May 2006
Patients undergoing cataract surgery with topical anesthesia had colorful visual experiences during the painless procedure, according to a new scientific article.In a report by Kuang Hu, senior house officer in ophthalmology, and Stephen Scotcher, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Victoria Eye Unit, Hereford County Hospital, U.K., the researchers suggest pre-op counseling to allay the fears of patients about this ocular experience. Doctors are not sure about the origin of the visual imagery of which artists have created paintings. Colored agents were not used during the routine cataract surgery, but it is possible that the bright operating light that illuminates the eye even partially desensitizes its retinal photoreceptors. It also has been suggested that stimulation of the photoreceptors by ultrasonic energy from the phacoemulsification probe is a reason for the colorful abstract imagery. The report posits that another explanation could be that light from the operating microscope is being refracted into its constituent colors at changing optical interfaces in the eye.Using a deeper level of anesthesia such as retrobulbar or peribulbar injections may block conduction optic nerve function, potentially reducing visual function and the experience of imagery. Even with this deeper level of anesthesia, however, patients still have ocular experiences during cataract surgery.
Posted by mehdi khanlari at May 26, 2006 06:36 PM