"Cataract surgery under general anaesthesia"

I was scheduled for cataract surgery at Fremantle Hospital, where I had been under the care of an ophthalmologist for several years. Due to my severe reflex to eye movement, it was determined from the start and noted in my medical records that general anesthesia was necessary for the surgery. This even required a rescheduling to ensure adequate time for administration. On the day of the surgery, while waiting to be taken to the operating room, the surgeon and anesthesiologist informed me that I would be under "twilight" anesthesia instead. I reminded them that my surgery was supposed to be under general anesthesia, but they assured me that I would be fine without it.

They gave me no option to get the general anesthesia and wheeled me into the operating room, the anaesthesiologist attempted to administer a local anaesthesia near my eye, which caused me to move due to my reflex, and it felt as though they had injected the wrong spot. I reiterated my need for general anesthesia, but was told there would be a delay in my waking up. I insisted, stating I was okay with that as it was what i planned. The anaesthesiologist then announced to the entire room that I want general anesthesia, prompting an apparent collective sigh of disappointment from the staff, one of whom remarked that, oh well, at least the anaesthetist tried.

The anesthesiologist then began preparing for general anesthesia. I mentioned that my eye was hurting from the local injection, but they dismissively said that I'd be under general soon, so I won't feel it, without checking for any damage. When administering the general anesthesia, they simply inserted the needle without warning me it was starting—unlike my previous surgeries, where someone would count down or tell me I was about to fall asleep. As I recall, they activated the drugs and walked away. It was an extremely distressing experience.