Sir,

We are grateful for the comments in this letter. Our patient presented with a full-thickness corneal melt associated with rheumatoid arthritis with no evidence of infection; therefore corneal scrapings were not taken. Topical ofloxacin was administered as a prophylactic measure in view of the use of a soft contact lens in the presence of an aqueous leak. We agree that topical anaesthesia is the most suitable technique for corneal gluing. Our report is of a previously unrecorded, but clinically significant complication of sub-Tenon’s anaesthesia. This remains an invasive technique, which is not risk-free and should only be used if necessary.