Central retinal arterial occlusion (CRAO) after phacoemulsification-a rare complication

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While peribulbar anesthesia is generally safe, a remote risk of retinal vascular accident exists and its routine use should be done with caution. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) that occurred within 24 hours of routine uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery using peribulbar anesthesia. We share our experience of a 45-year old man who underwent uneventful clear corneal temporal incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery using peribulbar lignocain injection with adrenaline. CASE: A Patient who underwent routine phacoemulsification surgery of left eye for posterior sub-capsular cataract under peribulbar anesthesia developed central retinal artery occlusion in the immediate post-operative period. The surgery was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Central retinal artery occlusion is a rare but dreadful complication seen after uneventful phacoemulsification and the cause is mainly due to anesthesia related.