Comparison of 4 topical anesthetic agents for effect and corneal toxicity in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the onset time, duration of action, corneal toxicity, and corneal epithelial healing time of 4 topical anesthetic agents in rabbits.


METHODS
Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.


METHODS
Fifty-six rabbits were treated with 4 topical anesthetics (bupivacaine, lidocaine, procaine, and benzocaine) at different concentrations and different pH of solutions. Corneal sensation, corneal toxicity, and corneal epithelial healing time were measured.


RESULTS
The onset time of all 4 anesthetic agents was within 1 minute; however, bupivacaine and lidocaine produced significantly longer action than procaine or benzocaine (P < .05). Buffered bupivacaine and lidocaine had a significantly longer anesthetic effect than that of the nonbuffered solutions (P < .05). No significant effect on corneal epithelial healing time or corneal toxicity was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical bupivacaine and lidocaine had a longer anesthetic effect, particularly in buffered solutions. No significant corneal toxicity was observed.
Sun
R
R
Gimbel Eye Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Hamilton
R C
RC
Gimbel
H V
HV
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000633:toxicity; D011343:Procaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011343:Procaine; D008012:Lidocaine; D001566:Benzocaine; D002045:Bupivacaine