Abstract
Objectives: (1) To measure the force required to perforate the globe with various retrobulbar needles. (2) To determine the effects of angle of penetration on the force required to penetrate the globe. (3) To compare the force required to penetrate the globe with the force required to penetrate the skin. Study Design: Cadaver eyes were perforated with ultra-sharp, blunt disposable and reusable retrobulbar needles. The force required for each perforation was measured using a Pioden UF1 solid state load transducer. Setting: A laboratory based study. Results: Compared with a sharp needle, twice the force is required to penetrate the globe with a blunt disposable needle, and four times the force with a reusable needle. The angle of penetration does not affect the penetration force. The force required to penetrate the sclera is approximately three times that needed to penetrate the skin, irrespective of the needle used. Conclusion: The benefit of using a blunt retrobulbar needle to reduce the risk of scleral perforation during retrobulbar injections has not been confirmed. Because sharp retrobulbar needles are less traumatic and minimal resistance to its passage through the skin allows greater control, we favour their use.
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