LIMBAL SUB-TENONS ADMINISTRATION OF RETROBULBAR ANESTHESIA USING A BLUNT IRRIGATING CANNULA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To eliminate sharp needles when administerin g local anesthesia to the eye in order to reduce serious complications caused by needle perforation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After topical ane sthesia, limbal conjunctival incision, and sub-Tenon's dissection, a r etrobulbar irrigation of an equal mixture of bupivacaine (5 mg/ml) and lidocaine (20 mg/ml) was given using a blunt cannula. RESULTS: The te chnique was used in both vitreoretinal surgery (n = 70) and anterior s egment surgery (n = 235) with good analgesic and akinetic effects, No serious adverse reactions were noted. CONCLUSION: This proved to be a safe and efficient technique that abandoned the use of sharp needles.