[Respiratory arrest following retrobulbar block].

After a retrobulbar block, a patient developed transient apnoea and cranial nerve paralysis. All of the symptoms resolved within hours. According to the literature, apnoea is a rare complication of retrobulbar blockade and usually develops ten minutes after administration of the blockade at the latest. The outcome is excellent if skilled staff, and facilities for resuscitation are available. This complication does not occur after peribulbar anaesthesia.