Postoperative diplopia and ptosis. A clinical hypothesis based on the myotoxicity of local anesthetics
E. A. Rainin and B. M. Carlson
Postoperative diplopia and ptosis can be temporary or permanent
complications in patients who have undergone ophthalmic surgery while under
local anesthesia. We encountered six patients with such complications and
hypothesize that some cases of postoperative diplopia and ptosis could be
attributed to myotoxic effects of local anesthetics. These effects may
cause the degeneration and subsequent regeneration of muscle fibers of the
levator or extraocular muscles and result in temporary or permanent muscle
weakness.
