Retrobulbar chlorpromazine in management of painful eye in blind or low vision patients

Objective To evaluate the results of applying retrobulbar chlorpromazine in the management of patients with painful blind eyes or with very poor vision. Methods A retrospective, descriptive review was carried out on the medical records of 33 patients who were treated with a retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine (25 mg) for the management of painful blind eyes in Centro Oftalmológico Virgilio Galvis. Results Pain control was achieved in 90% of cases (with mean follow-up of 2.1 years). The mean intraocular pressure decreased by 37%. In 7 out of 12 eyes that maintained residual vision, loss of some degree of vision was acknowledged. One patient required an additional cyclodestructive procedure, another one required an absolute alcohol injection, and in an additional case evisceration surgery was necessary to achieve pain control. No serious complications were noted with this therapy. Conclusions Retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine is a valid option in painful, blind eye cases (or with very poor vision) with a poor visual prognosis.