Stopping antithrombotics during regional anaesthesia and eye surgery: crying wolf?

<span class="paragraphSection">Patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures, including cataract, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal surgeries, are often elderly with significant co-morbidities. Regional anaesthesia (RA) techniques are commonly used unless general anaesthesia is preferred or specifically indicated. Some of these patients may be receiving antithrombotics for serious medical conditions. Antithrombotics are drugs that reduce blood clot formation, such as aspirin, oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Clinical effects of some antithrombotics with longer half-lifes may take days to wane. Time may not be available to stop these agents if surgery is urgent; therefore, specific measures are undertaken to antagonize their effects.</span>

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