ABSTRACT

Complications include anesthesia of the optic nerve and relaxation of occulomotor muscles. Blindness, pupil dilation, and orbital protrusion result. Some complications are shown in figure 255. Some patients develop a mild conjunctivitis. All signs return to normal when the anesthetic agent is metabolized. Management of complications requires the patient to be in a safe, familiar stall where injury potential is minimal. The use of topical ophthalmic ointments is necessary to prevent corneal dehydration. In the author’s practice these blocks are always performed in a hospital and the patient is not released until all effects of the block are returned to normal.