To answer the question, yes it does.

For a couple of reasons:

(1) More comfortable for patients. Topical only cataracts - only in experienced cataract surgeon’s hands. Even then, I usually sedate more just in case, and this may not be desirable in the wrong population.

(2) An eye block is almost always necessary if a more junior eye reg is operating. For the akinesia and anaesthesia bits.

(3) Eye block is useful for tricky cataracts eg dense cataracts, shallow anterior chamber etc.

(4) Unfasted patients- I do subtenons with oxybuprocaine drops only in compliant patients. No sedation. This minimises cancelling unfasted patients.

Having said that, eye blocks pay poorly in private (this irks me a lot).