Background: Cataract is one of the common senile diseases. Globally, it is estimated that 20 million subjects are blind due to cataract. Anesthesia modality in cataract surgery is a challenge. The present study was carried out to compare the complications of local anesthesia plus intracameral lidocaine 2% with general anesthesia during cataract surgery.

Materials and Methods: 55 patients undergoing cataract surgery were enrolled in this clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, receiving either local anesthesia plus intracameral lidocaine 2% (n=28) or general anesthesia (n=27). We evaluated corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation and intraocular pressure and followed them up for 2 months. Independent t-test and Fisher’s exact test were applied for statistical analysis.

Results: There was no significant difference in corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation and intraocular pressure between two groups in 1, 2, 15, 30 and 60 days after cataract surgery. These complications were more common during the first day following the surgery.

Conclusion: Local anesthesia supplemented with intracameral lidocaine 2% was an effective and safe alternative to general anesthesia in cataract surgery. This two methods have similar ocular complications, however, systemic complications of general anesthesia limit its usage for senile patients.