In most cases, the surgery can be done on an outpatient basis. At the surgery center, antibiotic drops are instilled in the eye before surgery. A small weight is placed on the closed eye to soften the eye. An IV line and EKG monitoring are standard safety precautions. Local or general anesthesia can be used, based on age, general health, length of surgery, and patient preference.
Local anesthesia consists of two small injections, one behind the ear and one in the lower eyelid.
Sufficient sedation is given so that the local anesthetic is hardly felt. The eyelids are carefully washed and covered with a sterile plastic drape. Fresh oxygen is provided by a plastic tube placed near the nose. Patients often doze off during the operation, and most are left with vague recollections of a short procedure.