Can J Ophthalmol
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The Misericordia Health Centre cataract comfort study.
All surgery provokes various degrees of anxiety for patients. The environment leading up to surgery can affect anxiety levels. We performed a prospective randomized study to compare environmental factors around the time of cataract surgery in order to identify interventions that would minimize stress for patients. ⋯ For patients undergoing cataract surgery, efforts should be directed toward reducing anxiety on arrival at the institution, when it is highest, and not just during surgery. Oral sedation and listening to music before surgery appear to be beneficial. Listening to music through headphones during surgery was not found to be advantageous.