Psychological reactions to cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation.

A prospective study of fifty patients who underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was undertaken. Factors aggravating and allaying pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anxiety were studied A good doctor-patient relations/lip, confidence in the ophthalmologist, and knowledge of successful surgery with IOL implantation in an acquaintance were the major anxiety relieving factors. The main anxiety provoking factors were concerns about the success of surgery and the requirement of laying immobile during surgery covered with surgical drapes. Detailed technical knowledge about the surgery was anxiety provoking and the majority of the patients did not desire it.