Only Eye Study 5 (OnES 5): A Quantitative Study of Patient Experiences of Undergoing Surgery

Abstract

Background/Objectives: “Only Eye Surgery” can be a stressful experience for both surgeons and patients. Our study aimed to quantitatively explore the patient experience of having eye surgery on their remaining seeing eye. Subjects/Methods: A retrospective cohort study comparing monocular and binocular patients recruited from clinics in Brisbane, Australia. 107 patients (43 monocular, 64 binocular) completed a 12-item questionnaire regarding their experience. Results Multiple linear regression analysis identified that preoperative anxiety is greater in only eye surgery, (β=-13.99, 95%CI=-25.73 to -2.26, p < 0.05) and there were more worries about losing vision from surgery (β=-18.40, 95%CI=-32.31to -4.49, p < 0.05). The perceived level of support after surgery in binocular patients is influenced by their level of support from family or friends to discuss prior to surgery (r = 0.72), whereas in monocular patients, such level of support is influenced by patients’ level of trust in the surgeon (r = 0.50) and anaesthetist (r = 0.73). Conclusions Clinicians can provide support by acknowledging their patients’ anxieties related to loss of vision and its potential impact on lifestyle. By addressing these issues and providing the opportunity to discuss other aspects of the surgery preoperatively, further trust in the surgeon can be achieved. Postoperatively, the patient will feel more supported and enhance the recovery journey. In the advent of adverse outcome, the surgeon who has gained that higher level of trust, the patient will be more likely to feel reassured that everything was performed to the highest possible standard and more likely to accept the resulting level of vision.