PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of retrobulbar anaesthesia on retrobulbar haemodynamics, colour Doppler imaging was performed. Furthermore, the additive effect of epinephrine was examined. Method: Forty-one patients (age 72.7±8.9; 22 f, 19 m) undergoing planned cataract surgery were included in a prospective study. Colour Doppler imaging was performed before and directly after retrobulbar anaesthesia and after cataract surgery to measure the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and central retinal vein. In 18 patients lidocaine 2%with-out additives (2 ml, retrobulbar transconjunctival injection) and in 23 patients lidocaine 2%with epinephrine 1:200,000 was used. Results: After retrobulbar anaesthesia both groups had a significant reduction of the PSV and of the EDV. After surgery flow velocities increased again. The addition of epinephrine resulted in a significantly greater reduction and slower recovery of flow velocities. Conclusion: Retrobulbar anaesthesia induces a marked reduction of velocity in the retrobulbar vessels. The supplement epinephrine increases this effect, and recovery is much slower. Thus, particularly in patients with already disturbed ocular haemodynamics epinephrine should not be used in order to avoid irreversible functional damage. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of retrobulbar anaesthesia on retrobulbar haemodynamics, color Doppler imaging was performed. Method: Forty-one patients (age 72.7 ± 8.9; 22 f, 19 m) undergoing planned cataract surgery were included in a prospective study. Color Doppler imaging was performed before and directly after retrobulbar anaesthesia and after cataract surgery to measure the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery and central retinal In 18 patients lidocaine 2% with-out additives (2 ml, retrobulbar transconjunctival injection) and in 23 patients lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1: 200,000 was used. Results: After retrobulbar anaesthesia both groups had a significant reduction of the PSV and of the EDV. After addition flow velocities increased again. The addition of epinephrine resulted in a significantly greater reduction and slower recovery of f Conclusion: Retrobulbar anaesthesia induces a marked reduction of velocity in the retrobulbar vessels. Thus, particularly in patients with disturbed ocular haemodynamics epinephrine should not be used in order to avoid irreversible functional damage.