Perioperative management of anticoagulated patients having cataract surgery: National audit of current practice of members of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

ABSTRACT

An 11-item questionnaire was mailed to 891 consultant members of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) to audit compliance with RCOphth guidelines for perioperative management of anticoagulated patients having cataract surgery. Four hundred ninety-nine questionnaires were analyzed. The results showed that 29.5% of respondents adhered to all aspects of RCOphth guidelines; that is, they checked the international normalized ratio (INR) preoperatively, continued warfarin, operated within the desired therapeutic INR range for the condition that warfarin was being used to treat (as set by the treating physician), and considered sub-Tenon or topical anesthesia in anticoagulated patients.