Local Anaesthetic procedure for lid patients
Date issued: May 2025
For review: May 2027
Ref: A-677/AD/Ophthalmology/Local Anaesthetic procedure for lid patients
PDF: Local Anaesthetic procedure for lid patients.pdf [pdf] 114KB
What is a Local anaesthetic?
A local anaesthetic is a drug that stops you feeling any pain during the operation. This will be an injection around the operation site into the eyelid. After the administration of the local anaesthetic, you will be awake and aware of what is happening but should experience no pain.
If you were expecting sedation or a general anaesthetic (to be asleep for your surgery), please contact us to confirm.
Who administers the local anaesthetic?
An experienced practitioner or the surgeon are trained to administer local anaesthetic.
Is the local anaesthetic painful?
This can vary from person to person, you will have eye drops to numb the surface of the eye first. A very fine needle is used to administer the anaesthetic and there may be a feeling stinging or pressure which should not last long.
Are there any complications for local anaesthesia?
Sometimes you may develop a bruised or black eye as the injection can damage small blood vessels in the eyelid. This is not usually serious but can look unsightly for a week or so. It is more common if you are taking aspirin, or blood thinners.
What will happen on the day of surgery?
Upon arrival to the REI, you will be admitted for your surgical procedure. You will not need to change into a hospital gown, please wear comfortable clothing.
You will meet the surgeon where you will consent for the operation. If there are any concerns or problems your operation may need to be cancelled or postponed at this point.
Once the theatre team are ready for you, you will be escorted into the anaesthetic room where more checks are carried out and the local anaesthetic will be infiltrated.
You will then be taken into theatre where surgery will commence. During surgery, you need to remain still and will be expected to lie relatively flat. Your face will be cleaned, and a drape will be wrapped round your head to keep the area clean and sterile.
After surgery you may or may not have an eye patch on. If you do have an eye patch, the discharge nurses will give you further instructions after the surgery.
The theatre team will escort you back to the day case team after your operation where you will be discharged and given post operative instructions.
You may want someone to stay with you overnight; however, this would be your preference, not a necessity.
What will I hear?
You will hear the surgeon speaking to the theatre team during the course of the operation. There may also be music playing in the background.
Will I see anything?
You will be able to see very bright lights over the operating table. For some procedures you may be able to close your eyes. For some procedures we may ask you to sit up during the procedure, you will be informed of this before the surgery starts.
Should I continue my medication?
Yes, please continue to take all your regular medication unless advised otherwise by a doctor or health care provider.
What if I am taking blood thinners?
In general, most patients will continue with their anticoagulants whilst undergoing oculoplastic surgery, but there are some cases where it would be appropriate to stop them. Your clinician should have advised you at the consultation.
Can I drive on the day of surgery?
We recommend that a relative/friend brings you and collected you after the procedure. We do not recommend you use public transport on your day of surgery. This is due to traffic and also if you have an eye patch, you may be more susceptible to having a fall, consequently undoing the work that has been carried out.
