Equipment for Lateral Canthotomy Sterile gauze, gloves, and drapes Antiseptic solution (eg, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine) Topical ocular anesthetic (eg, 0.5% proparacaine or tetracaine eyedrops) Local anesthetic (eg, 1% or 2% lidocaine with epinephrine), small injection needles, and small (about 3 mL) syringe Ophthalmic antibiotic ointment (eg, erythromycin 0.5%, bacitracin) Sometimes, normal saline or water for irrigation Needle holder or hemostat, toothed forceps, iris scissors Additional Considerations for Lateral Canthotomy Speed of diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) and of execution of the canthotomy or cantholysis procedure are important to minimize the duration of retinal ischemia.