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Version 12/8/20

Informed consent for stopping or continuing blood thinners (anticoagulants)

What are blood thinners? 
Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) prevent blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. They increase the time it takes for you to stop bleeding. Patients who are having cataract surgery can usually keep taking these medications. Patients who are having eyelid, orbit, or retina surgery usually need to stop the medications before the surgery.

Bleeding is a potential complication of any surgical procedure. People who take blood-thinning medicine around the time of their surgery are more likely to have bleeding complications. For operations in and around the eye, this bleeding can cause vision loss or blindness. 

Stopping blood thinners increases your risk of a clot. A blood clot can cause very serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism (clot in your lung), and deep vein thrombosis (clot in your leg). 

You are at risk for complications whether you continue or stop blood thinners before surgery. Your surgeon and your primary care doctor or cardiologist will discuss what is best for you and give you instructions about what to do. Sometimes, the safest thing is to postpone the surgery until your risk is lower. 

The ophthalmologist may need to perform another surgery right away if you develop complications during surgery. Your surgeon may discover a new condition or problem for the first time during the surgery. The surgeon may need to change the plan for surgery to treat this problem or condition right away.  

By signing below, you consent (agree) that:
•	You read this informed consent form or had it read to you.
•	You were told you have a risk of hemorrhage and vision loss if you continue to take your blood thinners. 
•	You were told you have a risk of a clot if you stop taking your blood thinners. A clot could cause a heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. You were given instructions on when to stop and when to restart your medications.
•	Your questions about stopping or continuing the blood thinners were answered. 
•	You consent to _____ stop or ______ continue the blood thinners [check one] 

												
Patient (or person authorized to sign for patient)	Date