eye surgery eye surgery eye surgery, also known as ophthalmic or ocular surgery, is surgery performed on the eye or its adnexa, by an ophthalmologist. eye surgery is part of ophthalmology. the eye is a fragile organ, and requires due care before, during, and after a surgical procedure to minimize or prevent further damage. an eye surgeon is responsible for selecting the appropriate surgical procedure for the patient, and for taking the necessary safety precautions. mentions of eye surgery can be found in several ancient texts dating back as early as 1800 bc, with cataract treatment starting in the fifth century bc. it continues to be a widely practiced class of surgery, with various techniques having been developed for treating eye problems. eye surgeryeye surgery in the middle agesicd-10-pcs08icd-9-cm08-16meshd013508ops-301 code5-08...5-16 ophthalmologic surgeon, ophthalmologist, eye surgeonoccupationnames physician surgeon occupation typespecialtyactivity sectorsmedicine, surgerydescriptioneducation required doctor of medicine (m.d.) doctor of osteopathic medicine (d.o.) bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery (m.b.b.s.) bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery (mbchb) fields ofemploymenthospitals, clinics preparation and precautions main article: anaesthesia for ocular surgery since the eye is heavily supplied by nerves, anesthesia is essential. local anesthesia is most commonly used. topical anesthesia using lidocaine topical gel is often used for quick procedures. since topical anesthesia requires cooperation from the patient, general anesthesia is often used for children, traumatic eye injuries, or major orbitotomies, and for apprehensive patients. the physician administering anesthesia, or a nurse anesthetist or anesthetist assistant with expertise in anesthesia of the eye, monitors the patient's cardiovascular status. sterile precautions are taken to prepare the area for surgery and lower the risk of infection. these precautions include the use of antiseptics, such as povidone-iodine, and sterile drapes, gowns, and gloves. laser eye surgery