New Trends in Anesthesia for Ophthalmic Posterior Segment Surgeries

Abstract

Vitreoretinal (VR) surgery involves the management of vitreous and retinal diseases of the eye. the chosen method of anesthesia for VR surgery was general anesthesia as the procedures were thought to be too long and potentially too uncomfortable for patients to be able to tolerate whilst awake. However, in the past 10 years there has been a growing trend for VR procedures to be done very successfully under RA with MAC. Regardless of the type of anesthesia contemplated for vitreoretinal (VR) surgery, the patient should undergo a thorough preoperative evaluation before the procedure. The comfort of the patient makes a great difference in their ability to tolerate a long procedure under MAC and RA. Careful patient positioning on the operating table prior to the start of surgery is essential. Patients having VR surgery under local anesthesia should have minimal sedation, most of which should be given at the time of the block. Patients should not be sedated too deeply during VR surgery