American Academy of Ophthalmology
View all recommendations from this societyReleased February 21, 2013
Don’t perform preoperative medical tests for eye surgery unless there are specific medical indications.
For many, preoperative tests are not necessary because eye surgeries are not lengthy and don’t pose serious risks. An EKG should be ordered if patients have heart disease. A blood glucose test should be ordered if patients have diabetes. A potassium test should be ordered if patients are on diuretics. In general, patients scheduled for surgery do not need medical tests unless the history or physical examination indicate the need for a test, e.g., the existence of conditions noted above. Institutional policies should consider these issues.
These items are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about items on this list or their individual situation should consult their ophthalmologist.
How The List Was Created
The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Medical Director of Health Policy and Health Policy Committee led the Academy’s list development process. Members of the Health Policy Committee initially identified potential recommendations based on relevance, appropriateness and potential for improvement and efficiency. Through society notifications and newsletter notices, other ophthalmic organizations and subspecialty societies and members were invited to offer feedback and recommend ideas to be included in the final recommendations. Health Policy Committee members and the Medical Director of Health Policy reviewed the ideas and supporting evidence, and ranked them in order of potential impact. The top five recommendations were presented to the Academy’s Board of Trustees for approval.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s disclosure and conflict of interest policy can be found at www.aao.org
Sources
Schein OD, Katz J, Bass EB, Tielsch JM, Lubomski LH, Feldman MA, Petty BG, Steinberg EP. The value of routine preoperative medical testing before cataract surgery. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2000;342:168-75.
Keay L, Lindsley K, Tielsch J, Katz J, Schein O. Routine preoperative medical testing for cataract surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD007293. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007293.pub3.
Bartley GB, Narr BJ. Preoperative medical examinations for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Am J Ophthalmol 1991;112(6):725-7.
Keay L, Lindsley K, Tielsch J, Katz J, Schein O. Routine preoperative medical testing for cataract surgery. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007293. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007293.pub2.
Imasogie N, Wong DT, Luk K, Chung F. Elimination of routine testing in patients undergoing cataract surgery allows substantial savings in laboratory costs. A brief report. Can J Anesth [Internet]. 2003;50(3):246-8.
Bass EB, Steinberg EP, Luthra R, Tielsch JM, Jowitt JC, Shoukey PD, Petty BG, Feldman MA, Steinwachs DM. Do ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists and internists agree about preoperative testing in healthy patients undergoing cataract surgery? Arch Ophthalmol [Internet]. 1995;113(10):1248-56.
