Local anesthesia in ophthalmology.

With local anesthesia for intraocular operations, postoperative agitation, nausea and vomiting are less frequent, which tends to reduce the number of intraocular complications. Bleeding is less troublesome, and secretions are better controlled. Fewer cardiac and pulmonary complications occur with local anesthesia. Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol(R)) and pentobarbital sodium (nembutal) remain drugs of choice in preoperative medication. Lidocaine (Xylocaine(R)), 1 or 2 per cent, is a most satisfactory local anesthetic for intraocular operations. Complete akinesia of the eyelids has been achieved in every instance by a modified combination of the O'Brien and Van Lint techniques, using lidocaine 1 per cent. Nasolacrimal procedures can be performed satisfactorily by injecting the nasociliary and infraorbital nerves with lidocaine 2 per cent.