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Anaesthesia-related diplopia after cataract surgery
J I Gómez-Arnau1, J Yangüela, A González
1Anaesthesia Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, c/ Budapest 1, E-28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. jig-arnau@fhalcorcon.es
British Journal of Anaesthesia
|January 23, 2003
Summary
Persistent diplopia after cataract surgery is rare, occurring in 0.25% of cases. Retrobulbar block anesthesia is the primary cause, often damaging the inferior rectus muscle.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Persistent diplopia following cataract surgery is a concern.
- This study investigates anesthesia-related causes of prolonged double vision after this common procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and clinical features of persistent diplopia linked to anesthesia in cataract surgery patients.
- To identify specific anesthetic techniques associated with persistent diplopia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of anesthesia records for 3587 cataract surgeries.
- Analysis of patients with diplopia lasting over 1 month, specifically those related to anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Anesthesia-related persistent diplopia occurred in 0.25% of cases (9 out of 3587).
- Retrobulbar block anesthesia was implicated in 8 cases, with inferior rectus muscle paresis being the most common cause.
- No cases of persistent diplopia were associated with topical or general anesthesia.
Conclusions:
- Persistent diplopia after cataract surgery can result from anesthesia, particularly retrobulbar block.
- Direct muscle damage, especially to the inferior rectus, is a likely mechanism. The overall incidence of anesthesia-related diplopia is low (0.25%).