Cataract surgery and anticoagulants

[JudyMarieC]

I'll be having cataract surgery soon and I'm wondering if any of you were told to discontinue anticoagulants before the procedure. I haven't received any instructions yet regarding medications but I'm just curious as to what to expect.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Judy.

I'm sorry but I am unable to answer your question. Remember we are all different - what applies to others might not apply to you regardless of the answers you receive on the thread.

I feel the only way you can answer this question is to discuss your own individual situation with your doctor. Your medic will know your medical history and will be able to offer the best option for you based on the information they hold about you.

Paul

[JudyMarieC in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you.

[10gingercats]

Had mine done privately 4 years ago and continued to take Apixaban.Surgeon asked opinion of an on hand anaesthetist and she was fine with continuing with no cessation of the Apixaban. But it will depend upon the view of your surgeon. re stop or continue.

[JudyMarieC in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you. I had my first cataract surgery 5 years ago and I seem to recall that I stayed on my anticoagulant which, at that time, was Pradaxa but I now take Xarelto. I was just curious as to whether the recommendations had changed over the past 5 years.

[Finvola]

I had mine done two years ago and was told by the surgeon to continue Apixaban as normal. I would advise you to discuss this with your surgeon in advance of the procedures.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Finvola]

Thank you for responding. Yes, I will definitely check with the surgeon.

[arubagurl1955]

with any surgery there’s the risk of bleeding. That risk increases when someone is on anticoagulants. Patients are therefore asked to discontinue taking it 24 or more hours prior to surgery. Is common practice. The only time you won’t need to is if you’re at risk of having a stroke if you stop taking it for whatever reason. I was changed from Xeralto to Eliquis. My pharmacy did not have it in stock and had to order it. I did not continue with Xeralto until my Eliquis was available. I normally took my Xeralto in the morning. I didn’t this particular day. Around 5:30pm I had a stroke and ended up in the ER followed by ICU for a week and then a rehab hospital fir two weeks. I had colonoscopy in the hospital last week bc my doctor and I decided it wasn’t safe for me to be off of it. Hope this helps,

[hanne6263]

I had cataract surgery on both my eyes last year. I was told on each occasion to continue taking apixaban as normal. Practice seems to differ, and I'm sure you will follow your surgeons advice.

[RoyM]

I have had both eyes done recently and didn't stop taking my anticoagulants at all

[TheProf]

I haven't had cataract surgery but I had to stop Apixaban 3 days before a colonoscopy in case of any surgery being needed (it wasn't) - If there is a possibility of bleeding it is likely that you will have to stop taking it.

[tunybgur]

I just had a cataract op last month and was only required to have an INR check done within couple of days before op to check I was still within level 2-3.

Stopping warfarin was not required, good luck.

[RoyMacDonald]

I had both my eyes done two weeks apart, by the Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon Mr Vincenzo Maurino, MedC BQOphth, at Moorfields Eye Hospital (privately) Europe's foremost eye specialist and his team advised continuing Apixaban. He vacuumed the old lenses out as his preferred method of removal. The procedure was totally painless, and very fast.

All the best.

Roy

[Qualipop in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Can I ask whether you had to lie flat for the operation? I'm due to have mine done but the private clinic the NHS is using requires you to lie flat on your back which I can't do because of spinal problems so I'm now waiting months for the hospital to do them.

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Qualipop]

I have ankylosing spondylitis so cannot lay anywhere near flat. They recognised this and used pillows to make me comfortable. You only need to lay as still as possible.

All the best.

Roy

[Qualipop in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thanks. Pillows won't help me I'm afraid. I can only sit up of lie on my side . I'll have to see what he says at the pre op.

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Qualipop]

I have severe ankylosing spondylitis and cannot lay flat in any direction. I was diagnosed at the age of 39 and the consultant said I would be in a wheelchair within 5 years. The hospital will cope. Strange thing I found was that when I had my major stroke and was completely paralyzed that I did not have any pain while I was recovering for 6 weeks, unfortunately it has come back now. I'm 79 now and my back is a total C shape and my arms lose all feeling while I am asleep even in my best position which is on my left side and I need to move about every two hours.

All the best Roy

me

[Qualipop in reply to RoyMacDonald]

That's my position if I try to stand but I also have spondilo listhesis . When I lie flt a bit of one vertebra just lightly touches my spinal cord and makes the nerves vibrate v iolently so my entire body vibrates including my eyes. They vibrate so much that the dark fluid at the back of the eye clumps together and I go almost blind. Oddly the only time I've been without pain was the last time I was in hospital and they swapped my mattress for a brand new one. A slight slope on it, best night's sleep in 30 years. I begged to be able to buy one.

[RoyMacDonald in reply to Qualipop]

Like I said the hospital will cope. If all else fails they can totally calm you. They have lots of drugs.😜

All the best.

Roy

[Qualipop in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Yes I've had sedatives before. Thanks

[JudyMarieC in reply to RoyMacDonald]

Thank you!

[rosyG]

I continued with Apixaban for both cataracts on hospital advice

[quanglewangle]

Hello

No, I was not asked to stop the Apixaban anticoagulant prior to my caract surgeries. In the event because the second lens moved out of place so I had three cataract ops - no bleeding, no fuss, no worries- brilliant!!!

[Ducky2003]

I had mine done last Friday. The information sheet I was sent only mentioned warfarin and aspirin (I'm on Apixaban) so I asked at the pre op (done over the phone 🙄) and nurse didn't know.I then spent 3 weeks trying to get hold of my consultants secretary (then found out she's not had one for a few weeks) and even go put through to the endoscopy unit at one point!

I took the executive decision to delay taking the morning one. My appt was 8am so I was home for lunch time and took it then.

I explained the above to the surgeon and he said that I'd done the right thing. He also said about looking at the information instructions and improving them.

If you have to have an injection for anaesthesia it's not great but that was the worst of it for me fir 20 seconds. Rest, I didn't feel and sight is brilliant to what it was.

Hope all goes well for you too.

[JudyMarieC in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you!

[Fred1954]

I have had corneal grafts in both eyes and cataracts were done at the same time. I wasn't required to stop taking Apixaban for any eye procedures. The puncture wounds they use to gain access to the eye are very small and there is consequently little blood loss. Good luck and enjoy your new improved eyesight!

[JudyMarieC in reply to Fred1954]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to better vision.

[fluffygreyfeathers]

Iam going to have cataract surgery and I worry about this too.Iam on Eliquis 5 mg 2 x a day and Metropolol tartate 25 mg 2 times a day.

[RoyMacDonald]

I would just add to my previous post that I took the antibiotic eye drops they gave me religiously, and you are not allowed to use the underground train to get home due to the dust. Had to use a taxi. I'm 79 now and my eyesight is brilliant. Best money I ever spent. Saved more than the operation cost on prescription glasses alone🤣

All the best.

Roy

[Balearic]

I had cataract surgery carried out on both eyes at the same time a year ago and was told it was not necessary to stop my daily dose of Edoxaban. The surgery went really well and was over before I knew it. I’m loving only having to wear glasses for reading now.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you. Take care

Gloria

[JudyMarieC in reply to Balearic]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to having it done since I notice a big difference in my vision compared with the eye I had done 5 years ago.

[Peacefulneedshelp]

I was supposed to have cataract surgery and because I wasn’t on an anti coagulant she refused to agree to my having surgery. they only did general anesthesia so I found a dr that does local and am waiting till sept to have mine done.

[Desanthony]

I came off for 24 hours that's all. No problems. Prior to that i had been asked to come off for 3 days prior to total knee replacement and was on half dose of apixaban for a month afterwards - again no problems.

[mrgwair567]

I had cataract surgery on both eyes 2 years ago. I just didn’t take the morning dose , but I would suggest that you contact the surgical team for their advice. Good luck !