Examination Under Anaesthetic (EUA) - Information for Families

Ophthalmology

Telephone: 0121 424 2000

Information for Patients

Examination under Anaesthetic – Information for Families Page 2 of 2

Version 1, May 2007

Information for Patients

Examination under Anaesthetic (EUA) - Information for Families

Introduction

Sometimes it is necessary to examine children's eyes when they have been put to sleep by the anaesthetist. We call this an 'Examination under anaesthetic' or EUA for short. There are diseases where an EUA is usually needed just once, whereas in other conditions it needs to be repeated every few months for years.

Benefits of treatment

Tests are often necessary to know the exact name and seriousness of an eye disease, and to work out the best treatment. Some of these tests might mean touching your child's eye or looking into the eye to see things less than a millimetre across. Whilst we do such tests for adults and older children in the clinic and awake, younger children may not be able to understand their importance or be able to keep sufficiently still.

Alternatives

Often we will have already attempted and been unable to perform the tests needed at a previous clinic appointment. With certain diseases we know that it will not be possible to perform a suitably detailed examination to allow best care for your child, then we will suggest an EUA from the start. Sometimes sedation is used instead of a full general anaesthetic, but the effects are unpredictable and it is common for the sedation to be too weak and for the tests not to be possible. There is a risk that sedation is too strong, in which case a proper anaesthetic would have been safer.

The procedure

The anaesthetist will talk to you about the general anaesthetic prior to putting your child to sleep. Please ensure you have received instructions about food, drink and arrival time and that you have understood them, as they are essential for your child's safety. If you are using eye drops or other treatment for their eyes please make sure your have clarified whether or not they are to be used up to and including the day your child comes into hospital. We may warn you about the possible need to perform treatment whilst your child is still under the anaesthetic. For this reason it is a good idea to make sure we know where you are, and that we con contact you immediately during this time your child is in the operating theatre.

Risks and side effects

The risks from these tests are low. Even problems such as a short time of minor discomfort in the eyes are unusual. If there is a treatment or operation that is needed at the same time as the EUA then we will discuss this with you and obtain your permission, in all but the most exceptional circumstances.

If your child is going to have an operation you may be asked to attend the hospital for a preoperative assessment. Please ask our staff any questions you may have about the treatment.

Alternatively, you can phone the main hospital switchboard on 0121 424 2000 and ask to speak to your Consultant’s secretary or ring 0121 424 0950 or 0121 424 3524 and ask to speak to Ms Jo Innes, senior Orthoptist.

Additional sources of Information:

Contact NHS Direct Telephone: 0845 4647

Or visit them on the Internet http://nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Please use the space below to write down any questions you may want to ask:

Examination under Anaesthetic – Information for Families Page 2 of 2

Version 1, May 2007