Systemic adverse events: a comparison between topical and peribulbar anaesthesia in cataract surgery.

Aims: To evaluate the safety of topical anaesthesia (TA) versus peribulbar anaesthesia (PBA) in patients undergoing routine cataract surgery on the basis of systemic adverse events.

Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 2,020 consecutive cases of cataract surgery performed by one surgeon on 1,621 patients with PBA (n = 1,010; between 1998-1999) or TA (n = 1,010; between 1999-2001) were evaluated on the basis of intra-operative and early postoperative adverse events requiring medical intervention.

Results: The rate of pre-existing risk factors in patients undergoing cataract surgery is high (97%).