title: Oxybuprocaine keratopathy: a preventable disease.
abstract: Topically applied anaesthetics may lead to a serious keratopathy. Three patients presented to us with disciform keratitis, peripheral corneal ring, and stromal infiltration following the topical use of oxybuprocaine. All three patients developed marked decrease in vision secondary to corneal scarring. In all three patients oxybuprocaine was dispensed over the counter by a pharmacist. Legislation for the restriction of over-the-counter sale of topical anaesthetics, steroids, and antibiotics is essential in the prevention of many of the self-induced ocular disorders seen in developing countries.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011343:Procaine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011343:Procaine; C005298:benoxinate