Peribulbar anesthesia versus topical anesthesia in cataract surgery: comparison of the postoperative course

Background: Phacoemulsification with topical anesthesia is a proven alternative to peribulbar or retrobulbar anesthesia. Application of lidocaine in the anterior chamber before surgery is one method to achieve good intraoperative analgesia. The purpose of this study was to find out whether there are any differences in the postoperative course between patients with peribulbar injection and patients with topical anesthesia. Patients and methods: A total of 186 patients scheduled to undergo elective cataract surgery were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive sponge-anesthesia and intraocular injection of 0.15 mi lidocaine 1% or a peribulbar injection of 6 mi Xylonest 2%. Uncorrected visual acuity was measured 30 min after surgery. On the first postoperative day, the cornea and ocular inflammation affecting the anterior chamber were examined with a slit lamp; best corrected visual acuity and postoperative pain were documented. Results: Thirty minutes after surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity was significantly better in the lidocain group. At 1 day we saw no differences concerning visual acuity. Descemet folds occurred in 6.5% of the peribulbar group and 20.5% in the lidocain group. Conclusion: Topical anesthesia with sponge anesthesia and intraocular application of 0.15 mi lidocain 1% circumvents the complications of a peribulbar/retrobulbar injection. The patient profits from rapid visual rehabilitation.