The continuous-injection technique to reduce complications during retrobulbar anesthesia.

Retrobulbar as well as peribulbar anesthesia remain relatively risky procedures; retrobulbar hemorrhage and especially globe penetration or perforation can have blinding consequences. Our continuous-injection-technique greatly reduces these risks whether used for retrobulbar or peribulbar anesthesia. If the ophthalmologist starts injecting the agent while advancing the needle, the fluid pushes tissues away, possibly preventing a hemorrhage. Since resistance against the plunger is instantaneously experienced if the needle impacts the sclera, the ophthalmologist is adequately warned before actual perforation of the sclera occurs.