The mortality and morbidity rates in eye surgery are low as compared to other surgical specialities. The lethality rate is not, however, as low as one might suppose if one follows the fate of patients which require postoperative transfer into other (non ophthalmologic) clinics. The morbidity rate differs markedly, depending on whether a local or general anesthetic is used. Following local anesthetics, the incidence of pulmonary emboli was 2.4 times greater, and thrombophlebitis twice as common as with general anesthetics, whereas cardiac complications occurred more frequently with general anesthetics. Pre- and postoperative measures are presented which have proven useful in the reduction and prevention of such mishaps.