A comparison of topical anaesthesia and retrobulbar block for cataract surgery.

It is possible to remove a cataract and insert an intraocular lens under topical anaesthesia (lignocaine 4% preservative-free eye drops) with a van Lint block. This study was performed to evaluate this anaesthetic technique. Nineteen patients having cataract surgery with topical anaesthesia and a van Lint block were compared with 21 patients who received a retrobulbar block and a van Lint block. There were no significant differences between the two groups in patient characteristics, mean cardiovascular stress of the procedure, experience of pain during the operation or willingness to have the same anaesthetic technique again. Topical anaesthesia with a van Lint block is feasible for cataract surgery and is potentially safer than other regional anaesthetic techniques.