Dalia Divakar1 , Arun Sahadevan Rajamma2
BACKGROUND Peribulbar anaesthesia for cataract surgery was the most popular technique in the past,1 but it is not completely free from complications.2 Less invasive Subconjunctival anaesthesia methods were tried as an alternative to peribulbar and subtenon anaesthesia. Even though subconjunctival anaesthesia is less invasive and more safe it was not popular as expected because of the fear of less than adequate anaesthesia and akinesia. The aim of the study was to test the safety and efficacy of subconjunctival anaesthesia for cataract surgery against the established peribulbar anaesthesia. METHODS After approval from the ethics committee, 220 patients who were admitted for small incision cataract surgery undergoing either peribulbar or subconjunctival anaesthesia under monitored anaesthesia care in Regional Institute of Ophthalmology were studied from June 2019 to March 2020. These patients were divided into two groups - Group A and Group B by closed envelope technique. Group A patients received subconjunctival anaesthesia and Group B patients received peribulbar anaesthesia. RESULTS There was no statistical difference between the two groups regarding haemodynamics, intraoperative pain and postoperative complications. Time of onset of blockage was significantly rapid in subconjunctival anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS Subconjunctival anaesthesia is a better alternative to peribulbar anaesthesia for cataract surgery.
