Anaesthesia

What is cataract?

Cataract is a common eye disease characterized by the clouding of the lens. The lens acts as a natural lens and is located inside the eye, behind the iris (the colored part of the eye). It is essential for vision and also for accommodation, which is the transition from distant vision to near vision. Certain factors increase the risk of cataract, such as smoking (former and current), history of cardiovascular disease, family history of ophthalmic disease and high exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet rays)¹.

For more details on cataract surgery, please visit the Mydriasis page.

Surgical management of cataracts

Cataract surgery is performed almost exclusively as an outpatient procedure. It may be performed using a variety of anesthesia techniques that include local (regional) anesthesia (e.g., retrobulbar, peribulbar, sub-Tenons injection, intracameral, and topical) and occasionally general anesthesia².

Intravenous (IV) access is recommended to treat potential adverse events when sedation/analgesic agents are administered². A systematic review and meta-analysis found IV sedation was significantly associated with a decrease in pain when compared with non-intravenous methods². However, given the trend toward topical anaesthesia and the reduction or elimination of IV analgesia/sedation, IV access may be unnecessary. Topical anaesthetic drops may be supplemented with intracameral anesthesic for increased pain control². Monitoring during administration of anaesthesia and surgery generally includes using a cardiac monitor, pulse oximeter, and measurement of blood pressure and respiration These should be performed by personnel (other than the operating ophthalmologist) qualified to monitor and manage the patient’s systemic status.

Given the lack of evidence for a single optimal anaesthesia strategy for cataract surgery, the type of anaesthesia management should be determined by the surgeon according to careful consideration of the patient's needs, preference of the patient, the medical judgment of the anaesthesia team, and the surgeon².

Bibliography

Other expertises

Allergy

Asthma, rhinitis, food allergies... the prevalence of allergies has increased dramatically in recent decades to the point that it is estimated that nearly one-third of the world's population suffers from some form of allergy¹⁻². In the field of ocular allergy, corticosteroids have revealed their side effects over time, leading the industry to develop therapeutic alternatives³⁻⁴. Théa was a pioneer with the discovery of a multifactorial antiallergic molecule, followed by the development of preservative-free antiallergic eye drops, both in the ABAK® bottle and in single-dose form.
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Eyelid hygiene

Many ocular pathologies are linked to poor hygiene of the eyelids and the eye contour. Théa collaborated with leading experts in galenic science and ophthalmology to create a range of products specifically for eyelid hygiene. This range includes gels such as Blephagel® (for sensitive eyelid hygiene), sterile wipes like Blephaclean® (for eyelid and sensitive skin hygiene), as well as micellar solutions such as Blephasol® (for eyelid and eyelash hygiene).
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Dry eye

Dry eye is an ocular disorder characterized by a lack of lubrication and hydration on the eye's surface, resulting in symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and discomfort. Théa has developed a complete range of preservative-free products for tear supplementation, available in single-dose or ABAK® bottles. This approach is supported by research demonstrating the harmful effects of preservatives on the eyelids, ocular surface, and tear quality⁵.
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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is characterized by damage to the optic nerve, leading to visual field loss. It is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide, following cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)⁶. Leveraging its expertise in preservative-free formulations and galenic science, Théa developed the first preservative-free beta-blocker eye drop in the multidose ABAK® bottle, followed by the first preservative-free beta-blocker gel for once-daily use.
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Eye infection

In this area, Théa is a major player with a range of eye drops and ointments, including antiseptics and antibiotics, covering the spectrum of bacterial infections regardless of severity.
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Eye inflammation

Ocular inflammation is associated with various conditions such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and keratitis. As in other fields, Théa has developed preservative-free eye drops in single-dose and multidose ABAK® bottles. This advancement minimizes the aggravating factors of ocular inflammations caused by preservatives⁷.
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