Local anaesthesia for ocular surgery

Local anaesthesia is the technique of choice for a large number of ophthalmic procedures, including cataract surgery. For some procedures topical anaesthesia is sufficient; for more complex procedures a local anaesthetic block will be needed. Sharp needle techniques previously favoured, whilst still useful, have become less common than the cannulabased sub-Tenon's block. This provides favourable operating conditions with a lower risk of complications. Patients should be appropriately counselled regarding local anaesthesia early in their perioperative journey; combined with suitable preoperative assessment this provides high levels of patient satisfaction and limits interruptions to their usual routine.