Ophthalmic local anaesthesia and its effect on visual function

Proper anaesthetic intervention is crucial to the success of ophthalmic surgery. There has been a growing trend towards local anaesthesia from general anaesthesia over the last several decades. Although ophthalmic local anaesthesia is known to transiently affect visual function, its effect is often incomplete. This results in patients being able to perceive light and a variety of other visual sensations during ophthalmic surgery. Some patients have found these visual experiences frightening while others found them pleasant. It is important for anaesthesiologists and others in the surgical team to be aware that many patients retain vision during ophthalmic surgery so that they can counsel patients preoperatively to allay their fear during surgery.