Macular Pucker/Hole Surgery Nerve Block

[Jakefarley]

In the spring of 2013 I visited my opthamologist for distorted vision in my right eye (I did not have any blind spots).  He said I may have macular degeneration but recommended a retina specialist. I visited the specialist and he diagnosed me with macular pucker.  I had surgery on 9/3 after which I still had some distortion but could not read as I had a blind spot in the center of my vision.  The retina specialist said I had a macular hole and recommended surgery.  As I had such an easy recovery from the macular pucker surgery, I agreed and had the surgery on 10/15.  I came out of surgery utterly miserable.  I had great pain in my right eye, I was faint/weak, nauseated and could barely raise my head, let alone stand up.  I remained in recovery for around 4 hours during which my blood pressure skyrocketed after which they gave me something for the pain.  The anesthesiologist stated he did not understand why the specialist did not give me a nerve block before the surgery (I was under general anesthesia for both surgeries). They literally had to force me out of recovery.  When I confronted the retina specialist what the anesthesiologits stated and asked why I was not given a nerve block, he stated that the anesthesiologist is not knowledgeable of the patient and that the nerve block would wear off in 2 hours.

My question is:  Is it acceptable procedure to not give a nerve block for macular hole surgery?

BTW:  On 1/22 I had cataract surgery in the same eye and was given a nerve block with no pain/problems.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

If a patient is under general anesthesia, it is acceptable to not give a block.  Your reaction was more likely a side effect of the anesthesia medication and inadequate pain medication.

HV

[Jakefarley]

Thank you very much.  I thought it may have been a reaction to the anesthesia. I will find out what they gave me so I can avoid it in the future.