Transient complete visual loss after intracameral anesthetic injection in cataract surgery

We describe a case of transient visual loss following cataract surgery with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine.

A 50-year-old man with posterior polar cataract underwent phacoemulsification. Following capsulorhexis and hydrodelineation with 0.5 cc of unpreserved lidocaine 1%, a portion of fluid reached behind the crystalline lens and caused the posterior capsule rupture. Cataract extraction and anterior vitrectomy were performed. Anesthetic administration was repeated to relieve the discomfort felt by the patient. A three-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens was implanted in the ciliary sulcus.

On the first postoperative morning, the patient's vision was recorded as having no light perception. The relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was found to be 4+. The retina and optic nerve head appeared normal. In the afternoon, the visual acuity (VA) was improved to 3-m count-finger. On the second postoperative morning, the patient's VA was improved to 4/10. On the third postoperative day, his VA returned to normal at 20/20 without RAPD.

In the event of posterior capsular rupture, to reduce retinal toxicity risks, intracameral lidocaine should not be repeated.