Regional Anesthesia of the Eye and Orbit

Topical anaesthesia for cataract surgery

First, do no harm. We believe that the analgesia provided by topical anaesthetic is adequate for small-incision cataract surgery and does not compromise the safety of the surgery. In addition, the lack of amaurosis is ideal for day-case surgery, which itself is increasingly popular. If preventable, why not prevented? The greatest attraction of topical anaesthesia is its complete absence of the complications described for injectional local anaesthetic techniques. We therefore recommend that our colleagues consider topical anaesthetic for patients undergoing small-incision cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. Our policy for the past 3 years has been to use only topical or general anaesthetics for cataract surgery.

Efficacy and safety of single injection peribulbar block performed by anesthesiologists prior to cataract surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of single inferior injection peribulbar block administered by anesthesiologists prior to cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Freestanding surgery center (teaching).

PATIENTS

1,074 consecutive patients who were treated over a two-year period.

INTERVENTIONS

Single inferior injection peribulbar block and one inferior peribulbar supplement when indicated.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The efficacy of a single inferior injection peribulbar block was 74%; 96% with one inferior peribulbar injection supplement. There were no ocular or systemic complications.

CONCLUSION

Single inferior injection peribulbar block is safe and effective when administered by anesthesiologists.