Exudative Retinal Detachment Associated with Complicated Retrobulbar Anesthesia

Abstract

Retrobulbar anesthesia (block) is used for many ocular surgeries, whereas it is well known that this procedure has complications such as for retrobulbar hemorrhage, globe perforation, optic nerve injury and brain stem anesthesia. In this report, we present a unique case in the literature of isolated exudative retinal detachment (RD) secondary to iatrogenic retrobulbar hemorrhage. A 73-year-old woman underwent retrobulbar block for combined phaco-vitrectomy. Immediately after the injection, progressive proptosis was recognized. The globe was decompressed and she underwent combined phaco-vitrectomy after stabilization of the eye on the same day. At the beginning of the vitrectomy, a dome shaped serous RD was observed in the infero-temporal quadrant. Peripheral exploration was performed, whereas there was no retinal tear or hole. On the first day postoperatively, serous RD was disappeared. In conclusion, this report suggests that increased intraorbital pressure secondary to iatrogenic retrobulbar hemorrhage might lead exudative RD.