Case Reports

Transient blindness after sub-Tenon's anesthesia in cataract surgery

Case Report Details

First Author: L.Paternostro ARGENTINA

Co Author(s):    S. Bolaños   A. Brochard   A. Miquel   I. Prieto   L. Chautemps   F. Pagani     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report a case of transient blindness after sub-Tenon anesthesia.

Setting:

Hospital Oftalmológico Santa Lucía, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Report of Case:

A sixty two year old woman, ASA physical status 1, was scheduled for right phacoemulsification and intraocular lens placement. using sub-Tenon anesthesia lidocaine 2% without epinephrine,The surgical procedure proceeded without complications. At the end of surgery, the patient complained of blindness of his right eye from the start of the procedure associated with lateral rectus paralysis. No hemodynamic changes were noted during the surgery. The fundoscopy that was immediately performed appeared normal. Angio Tomography was scheduled and informed normal. Within 45 minutes after surgery the patient reffer a visual improvment and she was fully recovered 1 hour and a half later. The day after surgery, and one week later, visual acuity was normal. The patient recovered without sequelae.

Conclusion/Take Home Message:

With absence of vascular pathology, traumatic events in the surgery. Normal fundoscopy and quick visual recovery , we can atribute this event to lidocain properties and its a complication that we have to ve aware when using sub-Tenon lidocaine 2% anesthesia.

Financial Disclosure:

None