Cornea Graft - local anesthetic

[Andrew MacLean]

If you are worried about this, remember you are still in control.

There is no reason why you should not ask to be referred to another hospital, perhaps larger and with a greater range of anesthetic options available.

I have said that I think I would have preferred to have my grafts done under local anesthesia, but I fully understand why you may be apprehensive about this. Ask for an opportunity to speak to your ophthalmologist again and share your concerns. Ask for reassurance about the type of anesthesia that will be used and ask about the relative merits of a general.

If you are satisfied and confident to go ahead at your local hospital, then fine. If you are still worried, ask for a referral. Do not be diverted by complaints like "we have gone to a lot of trouble to procure this tissue ...". You are the patient; you are entitled to the best service that can be provided.

All the best

Andrew