PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and safety of the transition from phacoemulsification performed by third year residents using peribulbar anesthesia to topical anesthesia. METHODS: Cases performed by third year residents from august 2004 to february 2005 were analyzed. Patients were operated under peribulbar (group I) and topical anesthesia (group II). Variables analyzed included patients age, sex, visual acuity under pinhole and complications. Patients with low visual acuity other than cataract were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: A total of 151 eyes were analyzed; 70 eyes in group I and 81 in group II. The visual acuity with pinhole as better than logMAR +0,30 in 80,7% and the average visual acuity after six months was log MAR +0.10 for both groups.The complication rate diference between both groups was statistically significant (p=0,039). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that transition to topical anesthesia performed by third year residents is safe with similar outcomes.
Phacoemulsification; Anesthesia, local; Anesthesia; Medical staff, hospital
