Conference paper

FEAR OF BLINDNESS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CATARACT SURGERY

Suzana Konjevoda ; Zadar General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar, Croatia ; University of Zadar, Department of Health Studies, Zadar, Croatia
Ivana Gusar orcid.org/0000-0002-4829-1543 ; University of Zadar, Department of Health Studies, Zadar, Croatia ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
Sanja Perić ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb, Croatia
Neda Striber ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Škara Kolega orcid.org/0000-0003-0329-5353 ; Zadar General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar, Croatia
Ana Didović Pavičić orcid.org/0000-0003-1284-7914 ; Zadar General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar, Croatia
Zrinka Paštar orcid.org/0000-0002-8478-8784 ; University of Zadar, Department of Health Studies, Zadar, Croatia; Ministry of Defence of Republic of Croatia, Institute of Aviation Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
David Josip Grašić ; University Hospital Sv. Duh, Department of Ophthalmology, Zagreb, Croatia
Doroteja Perić ; University Hospital Dubrava, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aaesthetic Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Ljudevit Caktaš ; Lječilište Topusko, Department of Psysical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Topusko, Croatia
Samir Čanović ; Zadar General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Zadar, Croatia

Abstract

Background: Fear is a negative emotion induced by the threat of danger, pain and harm. Cataract surgery is one of the most
performed surgeries in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the predominant fears in patients undergoing
cataract surgery.
Subjects and methods: In this cross-sectional study 152 patients were examined. Self-designed questionnaires to examine
emotions of the fear, anxiety, nervousness frequency gratitude was used and insecurity immediately before cataract surgery. We also
examined what the greatest fear during the cataract surgery was. The fear of blindness was compared with other life fears such as
cancer, memory loss, AIDS, stroke and heart attack. The presence of fear was compared in patients having had previous cataract
surgery with those undergoing their first cataract surgery. Including criteria were adults with senile cataract. Excluding criteria was
ocular co-morbidity, psychiatric disorders, inability to read, deafness and surgery under general anesthesia. Completed questionnaires
were analyzed. Pearson's chi-squared test was used.
Results: Fear was the most frequent emotion before cataract surgery, present in 60.5% patients. Fear of blindness was the
greatest fear during cataract surgery in 55.3% of patients. There was no statistically significant difference in fear in patients having
undergone their first cataract surgery and patients before their second cataract surgery (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Fear is the predominant emotion before cataract surgery which is in correlation to the leading life fear - fear of
blindness. Good preoperative preparation and a trusting doctor-patient relationship are important for reducing the fear of the
procedure.

Keywords

fear; blindness; cataract

Hrčak ID:

271818

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/271818

Publication date:

19.10.2021.

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