Ipsilateral globe penetration and transient contralateral amaurosis following retrobulbar anesthesia

PURPOSE: To report a rare complication of retrobulbar anesthesia with ipsilateral globe penetration and transient contralateral amaurosis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 63-year-old woman complained of vision loss in the right eye immediately following cataract surgery on the left eye. RESULTS: Right eye vision decreased to no light perception with clear media and normal fundus. The vision recovered to baseline in 12 hours. Left eye vision was checked and demonstrated only light perception. Fundus examination disclosed preretinal and vitreous hemorrhage. During vitrectomy of the left eye, a penetrating wound below the optic disk with retinal detachment was found. CONCLUSION: The ipsilateral globe penetration wound depicts the mechanism of contralateral amaurosis following retrobulbar anesthesia of the case.