Prolonged pain after cyclocryotherapy performed with retrobulbar bupivicaine hydrochloride anesthesia

Ten patients received retrobulbar bupivicaine (Marcaine) in conjunction with cyclocryotherapy for medically unresponsive postpenetrating keratoplasty glaucoma and were found to experience significantly longer postoperative pain than 20 patients who recieved lidocaine (Xylocaine) anesthesia. The duration of pain was correlated with the need for narcotic analgesis whenever possible. We encourage further investigation into the etiology of the discomfort after cyclocryotherapy employing retrobulbar bupivicaine anesthesia.