Circumcorneal perilimbal anesthesia in extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation.

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.