Circumcorneal perilimbal anesthesia in extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of subconjunctival anesthesia in conventional extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Setting: Eye Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Methods: This prospective study evaluated the complications related to the use of subconjunctival anesthesia in conventional ECCE with IOL implantation. Patient-reported pain during surgery in the first 100 consecutive cases was also evaluated.

Results: Complications from the subconjunctival anesthesia technique were few. Patients did not report intraoperative pain severe enough to cause the procedure to be abandoned or the anesthesia reinforced; surgery was successfully performed in all cases.

Conclusions: Circumcorneal perilimbal anesthesia was effective for ECCE with IOL implantation. It is important that the surgeon is experienced in the technique and that patients are carefully selected.