Ocular perforation during peribulbar anaesthesia

Abstract

Six cases of ocular perforation after peribulbar anaesthesia are reported. They were referred to our vitreoretinal unit from other hospitals over a 6 week period. Some recent reports of ocular perforation with peribulbar anaesthesia suggest a good prognosis. In this series all six required surgical intervention and most cases associated with a retinal detachment had a poor outcome. This study highlights the dangers of ocular perforation and emphasises the need for supervised training of peribulbar anaesthesia and early referral should ocular perforation occur.