Patients who have a cataract surgery before the first and second eyes surgeries, patient?s anxiety level to investigate

In the present study we proposed to investigate the anxiety level of patients who could undergo cataract operation for the first or second time at eye surgery department and compare their results with the patients who consulted the eye doctor but could not undergo operation.This prospective study was done in University of Afyonkocatepe School of Medicine Department of Eye Surgery, after getting the required permissions. We planned this paper as a cross sectional research and performed between February 2008- December 2008. In the study group we involved a total number of 100 patients who were voluntary, aged above 14 years and could able to answer the questions; 50 of them will have gone eye operation for the first time and the other 50 for the second time. The control group was choosen from patients older than 14 years, able to answer the questions who did have only refraction error and were not planned for surgery as 100 patients. Data, were gathered using an Interview Form, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I and STAI-II). The statistical analyses of the study was done by SPSS 13 program. We used chi-square test for demographic data, the reasons in the same group were compared by paired t test and the parameters between two group by Mann- Whitney-U Test and in multiple groups by ANOVA test. The values of p< 0. 05 were accepted to be significiant.We obtained a much more greater state anxiety point in the study group than control group. The constant anxiety was high in both groups. The anxiety point was higher at patients who would undergo operation for the first time than the patients for second time. There was a statistically significiant difference between state anxiety of patients who would undergo surgery for the first time without psychological support than patients having second surgery without psychological support (having higher levels inthe first surgery group than second operation). The patients who will have the first cataract surgery with systemic illness had higher state anxiety. Education state, career, living place, the persons with living, age, social security, knowledge about surgery before operation, cigarette smoking had no effect on the preopertive anxiety both for first and second operation.In conclusion, the patients who will have cataract operation must be evaluated for a complete biopsycosocial condition and to decrease the preoperative anxiety of the patient, an extensive nurse care system must be developed. Different nurse care approachments should be applied especially to the patients who are going to have the first surgery, female, have a systemical disease and have no preoperative psychological support strongly.