Eye durgery and Warfarin.

[Dadog]

I'm wondering if anyone has had eye surgery (cataract or trabeculectomy) whilst on warfarin? I've read up on a lot of (scary) stuff on line which isn't always a good thing! The ops can result on eye bleeds but generally not. It's something I will obviously raise at the pre-op meeting. There is also the option of full anaesthesia as well as local. I have had both these operations before (pre warfarin days) and find them quite stressful - which ain't good for my AF!

Interested in anything you may have on this.

[Perrylees]

Hi Dadog

I haven't but my mum has had the cataracts in both eyes done ( at different times) whilst on warfarin. I think she was told to stop taking it a couple of days beforehand though...She has many other health issues as well as AF but had no issues at all with either procedure. Both were done under sedation.

Hope this helps.

[AnticoagulateNow]

I had both cataracts done during 2014 and though there was considerable debate about my anti-coagulation among the health professionals leading up to the ops, I was allowed to remain on warfarin which I was on at the time.

[NiceNana]

I have had both lenses replaced because of cataracts whilst taking warfarin. I was told to carry on as normal but have the INR checked the day before. As the operations were on a Monday I was told Friday was OK, but both times they took blood on the ward when I got there, to check it was within range!!

I had no problems. My eyes were blood shot, but not excessively so.

Good luck.

Lynn

[Dadog]

Thanks very much all. I'll see how it goes and report back. Not until August sometime.

[ILowe]

I specifically asked that question to a Swiss Eye Surgeon a year ago. He told me that he operated on anticoagulated patients all the time. In many years of experience, he only once had to use General anaesthetic, and that was for other reasons. He knew very well that the traditional injection into the muscles behind the eye was a no-no. Instead, they use eye drops to numb everything and stop you moving. I trust him. He also firmly told me that he would NOT operate until I absolutely needed it. Yes, he would operate on me, and cheekily recommended it because doctors in Switzerland are easy to sue if things go wrong!!

[Dadog]

That's interesting, ILowe. I think it was the injection behind the eye that most concerned me. I shall go to my pre-op meeting loaded with info and questions! Thanks .