Efficacy of lidocaine 2% jelly as a topical agent in cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether lidocaine 2% jelly is an effective topical anesthetic agent for cataract surgery.


METHODS
Private practice and surgicenter.


METHODS
One hundred eighty cataract surgery patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups of 45 patients each: Group 1-topical eyedrop anesthesia; Group 2-intracameral lidocaine; Group 3-lidocaine 2% jelly applied once, on arrival at the surgicenter; and Group 4-lidocaine 2% jelly applied on arrival and about 5 minutes prior to surgery. Each patient was asked about pain or pressure sensation during the operation and afterward.


RESULTS
Single instillation of lidocaine 2% jelly was associated with pain scores comparable to those with topical eyedrop anesthesia. When the jelly was readministered shortly before surgery, the pain scores were comparable to those with intracameral anesthesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Lidocaine 2% jelly was an effective agent in cataract surgery.
D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome