I have diabetic retinopathy, and have had the back of my eyes lasered several times, which is uncomfortable, but not painful - if they are likely to start injecting into my eyes, they'll have to catch me first! The lasering I can cope with, but injections into the eyes? Scary!! The eye numbing drops are fine, and work very well, as everyone has said, it's just the idea of a needle going into the eye. I've had a cataract done on one eye, and they must cut into the eye somehow (I had local anaesthetic, not a general) but I don't remember being scared of that. I remember that when I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy I had to inform the DVLC. and had a yearly test done for my driving licence, but now have a ten year licence. Good luck spikey, and try not to think about the needle!