This injection provides akinesia of the extraocular muscles by blocking cranial nerves II, III, and VI, thereby preventing movement of the globe.
Local ocular complications include hematoma formation, optic nerve damage and perforation of the globe with possible blindness.
Most commonly, patients will report discomfort during the performance of the block, such as the sensation of the needle during insertion and/or pressure behind the eye during injection.
A needle (22–27 Gauge, 3 cm long) is inserted at the inferolateral border of the bony orbit and directed straight back until it has passed the equator of the globe.
Epinephrine, commonly mixed in with local anesthetics for vasoconstriction, is not used in seeing eyes as this can cause a central retinal artery occlusion.