Journal of cataract and refractive surgery
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Two cases of orbital swelling after sub-Tenon's anesthesia are reported. The first patient presented 3 days postoperatively with proptosis and conjunctival chemosis. Computed tomography showed nonspecific inflammation of the orbital soft tissue. ⋯ The patient was treated with oral steroids and antibiotics, and all inflammation subsided within 4 weeks. Both patients had uneventful cataract surgery, were apyrexial, and were generally well. A few possible mechanisms for these episodes are infection, reaction to povidone-iodine or sub-Tenon's anesthetic, or trauma due to the sub-Tenon's cannula.