Contraindications to Lateral Canthotomy Absolute contraindications Suspected globe rupture (eg, irregular pupil, hyphema, herniated iris tissue, shallow cornea, leak of aqueous humor) Complications of Lateral Canthotomy Complications may include Mechanical damage of the eye (eg, to the lateral rectus muscle, lacrimal gland, or lacrimal artery) or lids Hemorrhage Infection The urgency of the procedure, combined with traumatic distortion of the anatomy and possible unfamiliarity with the procedure by nonophthalmologists, may increase the risk of iatrogenic injury to the eyeball.