The effect of pre- and perioperative anxiety on cardiovascular parameters and intraocular pressure of patients awaiting phacoemulsification surgery

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

To evaluate pre- and perioperative anxiety in patients scheduled for cataract surgery and to assess its correlation with cardiovascular parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP).

Patients or materials and methods

Thirty cataract surgery patients were included. Exclusion criteria included previous ocular surgery, glaucoma, and ocular inflammation. Anxiety levels were assessed using a visual facial anxiety scale (VFAS). Systemic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and IOP were measured using a sphygmomanometer and an air-puff tonometer, with mean values calculated from three readings. VFAS, BP, HR, and IOP were recorded during the pre- and perioperative periods. A t-test compared parameters, and Pearson’s coefficient was used to analyze correlations.

Results

Patients reported mild to moderate anxiety during both the pre- and perioperative periods. Cardiovascular parameters and IOP showed no significant differences between the two periods. IOP correlated significantly with HR perioperatively (R = 0.62, P < 0.001) and with systolic BP preoperatively (R = 0.47, P = 0.009). Preoperatively, patients with moderate to high anxiety had higher IOP (17.06 ± 1.69 mmHg) than those with no to mild/moderate anxiety (14.74 ± 2.41 mmHg; P = 0.006).

Conclusions

Higher anxiety levels increase IOP preoperatively. Assessing BP, HR, and IOP, as well as alleviating anxiety may improve surgical outcomes and ensure stress-free procedures.