Management of inadvertent intraocular injections

A case of inadvertent intraocular injection of lidocaine is described. The needle entered the eye through the pars plana, without causing any trauma to the anterior segment or retina. The pharmacologic effects of intraocular lidocaine could be determined in this case, which had no complications attributable to concurrent physical damage to the eye. Following the injection, the visual acuity was no light perception; vision ultimately returned to 20/20. Appropriate medical and surgical management of such cases is discussed.