Background-Vitreoretinal (VR) surgery has been increasingly performed under
local anaesthesia (LA) in this unit. The results of an audit monitoring th
is change are presented.
Methods-Data were collected on 1497 patients including type, volume, and po
sition of the anaesthetic block, type of surgery, complications, and patien
t reactions.
Results-1221/1479 (82%) patients had LA. They were older than those having
general anaesthesia (GA) 63.5 years v 45.9 years; 146 (10.6%) blocks were i
ntracone, 130 (10.6%) peribulbar, and 927 (75.9%) combined. Operations incl
uded 436 vitrectomies, 545 retinopexy with or without vitrectomy, and 238 b
uckling procedures. Some pain was felt by 9.4%, 8.8%, and 19.7% of patients
during vitrectomy, retinopexy with or without vitrectomy, and buckling sur
gery respectively.
Conclusion-Local anaesthesia for VR surgery is well tolerated by patients,
being effective throughout longer and more stimulating ocular surgery.