[Strabismus surgery under subconjunctival anesthesia: technique and evaluation by patient and his surgeon].

Background: In adults, eye muscle surgery can be performed under local anesthesia without retrobulbar injection. We wanted to know how patients and surgeons perceive this procedure.

Patients And Methods: 50 patients and 3 surgeons were interviewed with a questionnaire after operation on one or two straight eye muscles, including revisions in 11 cases. The patients were sedated with benzodiazepines. The conjunctiva was anesthetized with tetracaine eye drops. During the operation, mepivacaine was irrigated under the muscle insertion using a blunt needle.

Results: The patients perceived little or no pain during the operation. This corresponded to the surgeon's judgement. 96% of the patients would prefer local over general anesthesia in case of a second operation.

Conclusion: The technique can be recommended for surgery of rectus muscles in adults, even in the case of revision.