Necrosis of the eyelids and sclera after retrobulbar anesthesia

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2003 Apr;29(4):842-4. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(02)01747-9.

Abstract

A 52-year-old man had loss of vision and black discoloration of the lids of the right eye after a retrobulbar injection of 3 mL lidocaine hydrochloride 2% (Xylocaine). Examination of the right eye revealed no light perception with extensive necrosis of the lids. Anterior segment examination revealed conjunctival pallor, corneal edema, and necrosis of the sclera. This is a previously unreported complication of retrobulbar anesthesia comprising ophthalmic artery occlusion with scleral melt, ocular ischemia, and eyelid necrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, Local / adverse effects*
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / etiology
  • Epinephrine / administration & dosage
  • Eyelid Diseases / etiology*
  • Eyelids / blood supply
  • Eyelids / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Ischemia / etiology
  • Lidocaine / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Ophthalmic Artery / pathology
  • Orbit
  • Sclera / blood supply
  • Sclera / pathology*
  • Scleral Diseases / etiology*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Lidocaine
  • Epinephrine