The indications and the limits of topic anaesthesia in ophtalmic surgery

Luminiţa Chiuţu , F. Purcaru
Clinica ATI, UMF Craiova

Abstract

Aim. To establish the indications and the limits of topical anesthesia in ophthalmology.

Material and method. A number of 150 patients, divided into homogeneous groups, who underwent exploratory or short time surgical procedures, using topical anesthesia, were analyzed. The topical anesthetic substances we used were 1%, 2% and 4% lidocaine, 0.4% oxibuprocaine clorhidrate (novesine) and 0.5% proparacaine clorhidrate (alcaine). The following parameters were studied: the quality of anesthesia (the onset time and the length of the corneal analgesia), the intraocular pressure and the toxic effects of the drugs upon the corneal epithelium.

Results. Lidocaine 4%, novesine 0.4% and alcaine 0.5% proved to be the most efficient topical drugs, offering a good quality anesthesia (the onset time less than 1 minute and the length of the analgesia more than 30 minutes). The intraocular pressure was not significantly modified and we did not register any toxic effect on the corneal epithelium.

Conclusions. 1. Topical anesthesia can be successfully used in ophthalmology for exploratory and short time surgical procedures. 2. The quality of the analgesia depends on the type and concentration of the drug. 3. The topical anesthetic substances do not significantly modify the intraocular pressure and are derived of toxic effects on the corneal epithelium.

Key words: topical anaesthesia, lidocaine, oxibuprocaine, proparacaine, ophtalmic surgery

Indicaţiile şi limitele anesteziei locale de contact în chirurgia oftalmologică

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2004 Vol.11 Nr.1, 21-25