Originally, cataract surgery was performed under general anesthesia, requiring patients to stay in the hospital. Later advances used a local anesthesia injected behind the eyeball. Although this procedure allows patients to return home the same day and is safer than general anesthesia, it is not entirely free of risk. We've adopted the latest, safest approach to anesthesia, using topical anesthetics when medically permitted. The eye is anesthetized using eye drops rather than through an injection of anesthetic under the eyeball with a needle. Avoiding the needle reduces the risk of bleeding, bruising and inadvertent damage from the needle itself. Visual recovery begins immediately since the eye muscles are not paralyzed as with local block anesthesia. Even when topical anesthetics are used, patients may be given an IV sedative to help them relax and keep them comfortable during the procedure.