Study of anxiety symptoms in patients posted for cataract surgery

Abstract

Being posted for cataract surgery can be source of anxiety for the patient. This study was conducted to assess the presence of anxiety symptoms and their correlations with various socio-demographic variables in patients posted for cataract surgery. It was a cross-sectional, non-randomized, single interview study. 50 consecutive patients posted for cataract surgery were included. Each patient was individually interviewed using a semi-structured proforma prepared for the study which included socio-demographic profile, clinical and psychiatric profile and ophthalmological diagnosis. To assess various domains of anxiety, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM–A) was administered. About 80% of patients reported at least 2 or more anxiety symptoms but most of these symptoms were transient in nature. 92% had anxiety scores less than or equal to 13 on HAM–A. Only 14% patients reported worries on MSE. We did not found a diagnosable anxiety disorder in patients posted for cataract study. Only 8% of subjects had mild to moderate scores on Hamilton anxiety rating scale. Also the patients with mature cataract have statistically significant correlation with HAM–A scores.