Cataract surgery performed with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation

PURPOSE: To report a case in which cataract surgery was performed under local anesthesia, with continuous positive airway pressure-assisted ventilation. METHODS: A 40-year-old woman with myotonic dystrophy and severe orthopnea, who could nor lie supine because of severe orthopnea, and who was a high-risk candidate for general anesthesia, underwent cataract surgery with continuos positive airway pressure ventilation by face mask. RESULTS: The patient underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in her left eye, while under continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. CONCLUSION: Selected patients who are unable to Lie supine for ocular surgery because of severe orthopnea, and who are at risk for systemic complications under general anesthesia, may be evaluated for continuos positive airway pressure-assisted surgery. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131:128-129. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).