“What type of anesthesia is used for a vitrectomy?”
I am a 45 year old female. I will have a vitrectomy soon. What type of anesthesia is used for a vitrectomy?
3 Answers
Mostly surgeries of the eye are done under local anesthesia. You will have intravenous sedation first.
Typically the surgeon does a nerve block, called a retrobulbar block, to anesthetize the eye, and the anesthesia team administers some mild sedation to help relax the patient.
General anesthesia is preferred. Some rare places they use local anesthesia, but that could increase your ocular pressure, something you don’t want that happens. Also, it is extremely uncomfortable to stay motionless. My advice is general anesthesia; it's safer and more comfortable.
