Cataract surgery patients who take prescription opioids face increased risk of complications

Researchers from the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study that compared prescription opioid users and non-prescription opioid users who underwent cataract surgery by a single surgeon from Jan 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. Intra-operative and post-operative complications were examined along with post-operative pain and visual outcomes.

The patients who took prescription opioids were five times more likely to have an intra-operative complication and three times more likely to have a post-operative complication. 

Researchers stressed the need for pre-operative counseling for prescription opioid users who are scheduling cataract surgery considering the increased risk of complications.