For cataract surgery what is used for sedation during the operation?

I worked at a couple of different outpatient eye surgery centers and we used Diprivan (propofol) or Sodium pentathol and sometimes fentanyl to put people to sleep for just a few minutes (2-3 minutes) while the anesthesiologist numbed up the eye with local injections(lidocaine and marcaine) When the person went into the OR they were awake but their eye was numb and they were unable to see out of it. Cataract surgery is a very simple procedure that should only take about 7-15 minutes for the surgery itself (what takes the longest is the prep and recovery period) There is very little pain involved. Most people, if they complain of anything, complain of a scratchy feeling like a grain of sand or an eyelash in the eye for a few hours when the numbing wears off. This is for the most part gone by the following morning. The eye heals quite quickly. I have never seen anyone need any sedation because they are asleep when the eye is anesthesized. Most places start an IV to give the medicine so anything you get is through the IV.

I seriously doubt it. If any benzo is used it would most likely be valium. You can talk to the doc and ask him what he is using and what you have reservations about.