title: Overview of ocular anesthesia: past and present.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many choices of ocular anesthetic techniques are available to the ophthalmologist. This study reviews currently used techniques of topical, subconjunctival and regional block anesthesia used in ophthalmic procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The choices of anesthetics that are available are considered and a new ocular anesthetic gel is described that provides sustained ocular surface anesthesia, minimal side-effects and may also have antimicrobial properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consideration of ocular anesthetic techniques and anesthetic choice plays a critical role for the success and safety of ophthalmic surgery.
authors.affiliation: New England Eye Center Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Juanita S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Brandon G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Busbee
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reichel
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local