Do We Need to Hold Aspirin Before Cataract Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 65,196 Subjects

Purpose Cataract surgery is a common operation, typically carried out on older adults who have many comorbid medical conditions. Many of these patients may be undergoing aspirin therapy for diverse cardiovascular causes. Nevertheless, there is ongoing controversy regarding the administration of aspirin therapy during the perioperative period, as there are concerns regarding the risk of bleeding problems compared to thromboembolic events. Although aspirin is commonly used, there is no agreement on whether to continue or stop taking it before cataract surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis attempt to assess the safety of continuing or discontinuing aspirin in the setting of cataract surgery.