Above all else, ophthalmologists who perform surgery in the office-based suite focus on safety as their top priority. Since 2016, over 18,000 ophthalmic cases have been safely performed in an office-based setting. Significant data demonstrate that office-based setting outcomes are consistently excellent, with a safety profile expected of minimally invasive ophthalmic procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers and hospital outpatient departments.

An ophthalmologist, who has the highest level of training regarding the eye of any physician, medically clears patients for the office-based setting and determines the appropriate level of anesthesia. Most ophthalmic office-based surgeries are performed with light oral sedation (Class A) and do not require an IV (Class B). If the ophthalmologist determines IV anesthesia is necessary, they can perform the procedures in a Class B office-based surgical suite, an ambulatory surgery center, or hospital outpatient department.

Accreditation

An office-based surgery suite follows the same or more stringent safety standards and is accredited by the same national organizations as an ASC or hospital. The main difference is that an office-based surgical suite is customized specifically for ophthalmic procedures.