Evaluation of subconjunctival anaesthesia vs peribulbar anaesthesia in cataract surgery

A comparative study was carried out to evaluate peribulbar anaesthesia (group A) vs subconjunctival anaesthesia (group B). The results proved peribulbar anaesthesia to be more effective than subconjunctival anaesthesia as regards orbicularis akinesia (p < 0.05) and ocular akinesia (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the sensory anaesthesia, analgesia and intraocular pressure changes in the two groups (p > 0.05). Block assessment was ideal in 80% of patients in group A in comparison to 51% in group B (p < 0.05), and unsatisfactory in 14% in group A and 30% in group B (p < 0.05). Further, no significant complications were observed with peribulbar anaesthesia. Therefore, we conclude that peribulbar anaesthesia should be preferred over subconjunctival anaesthesia for conventional extracapsular cataract extraction with or without intraocular lens implantation.