Neuro-Ophthalmic Morbidity and Mortality of Retrobulbar Needle Block Anesthesia

Of 3215 consecutive retrobulbar needle blocks given at our Eye Institute as anesthesia for various ophthalmic procedures, neuro-ophthalmic complications resulted in 1 brainstem block with seizure, 2 inferior rectus compartment syndromes resulting in permanent vertical diplopia, 2 temporary inferior rectus muscle pareses both resolving in one week of the block being given, 3 cases of permanent dilated pupil from presumed ciliary body injury, and 5 retrobulbar hemorrhages with one compressive optic neuropathy