[Diplopia after retrobulbar anesthesia in cataract surgery--a case report].

A case report. A homolateral hypertrophia accompanied by diplopia occurred after retrobulbar anesthesia for cataract operation. In the course of the next few months a hypotrophia developed in the same eye. Two and a half years later a 5 mm recession of the inferior rectus muscle of the hypotrophic eye was performed under local anesthesia. The passive motility upwards improved already during the operation when the muscle was sectioned. After the operation there was a remarkable improvement of motility and field of vision. Conclusion. The cause of this diplopia is probably an injury of the inferior rectus muscle with a secondary contraction caused by the retrobulbar anesthesia. An injection along the inferior rectus muscle to achieve the retrobulbar anesthesia should be avoided.