The anesthesia method depends on the type of surgery and your specific situation. Most LASIK and PRK is done with an anti-anxiety pill and anesthetic eye drops. Cataract surgery anesthesia generally includes anesthetic eye drops and a modest amount of anti-anxiety and pain-relieving medication given through the IV. More complex surgery such as corneal transplants are performed with anesthetic injections around the eye, IV sedatives, and occasionally general anesthesia with the patient completely asleep.