Penetrating ocular injury following local anaesthesia

A series of 13 cases of globe perforation following local ocular anaesthesia are reported. All cases were associated with cataract surgery. Perforation occurred with the retrobulbar approach in nine cases and with the peribulbar approach in two cases. In two cases the approach for local anaesthesia was not recorded. In 12 of the 13 cases, a perforating wound was found in the inferotemporal quadrant. All cases were found to have vitreous haemorrhage. All cases had significant posterior segment injury. Vitrectomy was carried out in nine of the 13 cases. At final review the retina was attached in 12 of the 13 cases. A final visual acuity of between 6/9 and 6/12 was achieved in six cases, four cases had acuity of between 6/18 and 6/24 and three cases had a visual result of less than 6/60.