Peribulbar tramadol, clonidine, and ropivacaine in blind and seeing painful eyes.

PURPOSE: To report on the treatment of painful eyes by peribulbar injection of tramadol, clonidine, and ropivacaine.

METHODS

The authors treated a 72-year-old woman with chronic prephthisical pain in the left eye secondary to graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty and an 81-year-old woman with severe ocular pain in her left eye for neovascular glaucoma secondary to an ischemic central vein occlusion. They were treated with a medial canthus injection of tramadol (100 mg/2 mL ampules), clonidine (0.15 mg/1 mL ampules), and 1% ropivacaine.

RESULTS

Both injections were very well tolerated and neither transient nor lasting complications were reported. Complete pain relief was obtained in both patients within 1 day and was maintained throughout the follow-up (11 months and 7 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Peribulbar tramadol, clonidine, and ropivacaine injection may represent a safe and effective treatment modality in the management of chronic ocular pain.