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A retrobulbar injection is an anesthetic injection given behind the eyeball to numb the eye and reduce movement. It is used for some eye surgeries and procedures when deeper anesthesia is needed. The injection is performed by trained eye clinicians. Not every surgery uses this type of block.
read more about retrobulbar injection ...The goal is to reduce pain and keep the eye steady during a procedure. It can be used for certain cataract cases, retinal procedures, or other eye surgeries depending on the plan. Some clinics use other methods instead, like topical numbing drops or different injection blocks. The choice depends on the surgery and the patient.
You may feel pressure around the eye and brief discomfort during the injection. The eyelids and eye can feel heavy as the numbing takes effect. Vision can be blurry or dark for a short time because the eye is numb and the pupil may dilate. Staff will monitor you and check that the block is working before starting.
Common short-term effects include bruising, swelling, or a droopy eyelid that improves as the block wears off. More serious risks can include bleeding behind the eye, infection, or damage to nearby structures, though these are less common. Tell your clinician right away if you have severe pain or rapidly increasing swelling. Your team will review risks based on your health history.
Protect the numb eye from rubbing until feeling returns. Follow post-op drop instructions and attend follow-up visits. Call right away if pain becomes severe, vision drops suddenly, or the eye becomes very red with discharge. If you feel faint or short of breath after an injection, seek urgent care.
Most people feel pressure and brief discomfort, then numbness. Anxiety can make it feel worse, so tell your clinician if you are nervous. The goal is comfort during the surgery.
Numbness usually lasts a few hours, but timing varies by medication and dose. Lid heaviness can linger as it wears off. Your clinic can give a typical range for your case.
Bruising, swelling, and temporary droopy lid are common. Temporary blurred vision can also happen while the block is active. These effects usually improve as feeling returns.
No, you should not drive right after a block or eye surgery. Your vision may be blurry, and the eye can feel uncoordinated. Arrange a ride home.
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