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Purpose: To discover what cataract patients see during phacoemulsification and if these light phenomena influence their anxiety levels during surgery., Methods: In all, 200 patients were interviewed intraoperatively at the Eye Hospital, Petrisberg, Trier, Germany. The quality of the visual experiences was described and if these were pleasant, neutral or unpleasant. Systemic sedation was noted., Results: Among 200 patients (209 eyes): 88 were men (91 eyes; 44%) and 112 were women (118 eyes; 56%). Median age (years): men (71), women (70). Mean operating time was 8 min. 49/209 (23%) were not anxious before and during surgery. 110/209 (52%) were more anxious before than during surgery, 50/209 (24%) were still anxious during surgery, 27/209 (13%) got sedation with midazolam (1-5 mg). Colours in descending order seen: blue, red, pink, yellow, green, purple, turquois, and orange. The most dominant colour combination was red/blue. Structures were seen by 162/209 (78%). Most (61%) intraoperative visual experiences were pleasant, 38% were neutral, and 1% found them transiently unpleasant. Three patients felt blinded by the light of the operating microscope., Conclusions: The experience of colours and other light phenomena was pleasant for most patients during phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia. They occur spontaneously when the patient is fixating on the operating light. They are not dependent on the individual or environment. Sedation only in 13%. Direct questioning for visual sensations by the operating surgeon may lead to less need for sedation and lead to less side effects for elderly and multimorbidity people postoperatively. The surgeon can use this knowledge to reassure patients during surgery.

Aims: Recently, a new rebound tonometer has been introduced into the market, which might be useful for glaucoma screenings in developing countries. Disposable probes, that are potentially reusable, are recommended by the manufacturer. Our study aimed to address the question of microbial transmission risks if the probes are reused., Methods: IOP measurements were obtained from 100 healthy eyes. The used probes were inoculated on broth and culture media. In addition, 10 probes were analyzed using environmental scanning electron microscopy in saturated hydrogen-steam atmosphere after usage and wipe disinfection technique with Sekusept 4% solution or Isopropanol 70%., Results: No bacterial or fungal growth could be detected in any of the inoculated agar plates or broth tubes. No microorganisms, clumps of cells, or single intact epithelium cells were detected in any of the probes using environmental scanning electron microscopy. Cell debris was detected on seven probes; three probes were completely free of any residual cell elements., Conclusion: Transmission of possibly infective material through reused probes is significantly less than for reusable Goldmann probes if the same sterilization protocols are applied. Re-usage of the probes appears safe and is helpful in avoiding unnecessary costs.