Etiology and Pathophysiological Pathways of Ocular Complications Associated with Local Dental Anesthesia and Odontogenic Infections: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

Ocular complications during or after dental extraction have been reported in the literature. These complications were either due to infiltration of local anesthetic solution or due to spread of odontogenic infection extending to the ocular region. The purpose of the present study is to outline the pathophysiological pathway of such ocular complications pertaining to dental procedures due to infiltration/local anesthesia block or spread of odontogenic infection.

METHODOLOGY

An exhaustive literature search was conducted in October 2020 on various online research databases to identify various etiological factors causing ocular complications during dental procedures or followed by odontogenic infections. The findings of all the articles recruited for the review were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The search protocol revealed a total of 897 articles related to the study where only 208 relevant articles were recruited for detailed evaluation, which led to the exclusion of 123 articles and a total of 85 articles were included in the study. Out of the total 113 cases in 85 articles, 92 cases (81.42%) showed complications associated with the use of local anesthetic agent and 21 cases (18.58%) exhibited ocular complications due to spread of infections. Most common ocular complications reported were diplopia, followed by ptosis and ophthalmoplegia.

CONCLUSION

Dental anesthesia can cause a reversible or irreversible ophthalmic complication, while the infectious afflictions of the orbit still remain a challenge to the practicing maxillofacial surgeon.