Duration of corneal anesthesia following topical administration of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride solution in clinically normal cats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine duration of corneal anesthesia following topical administration of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride solution in domestic shorthair (DSH) cats.


METHODS
20 clinically normal DSH cats.


METHODS
Baseline corneal touch threshold (CCT) was established by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. Treatment consisted of a single 50-microL topical application of an ophthalmic preparation of 0.5% proparacaine solution to a randomly selected eye of each cat. The corneal touch threshold was assessed 1 and 5 minutes after application to the cornea and at 5- minute intervals thereafter for 60 minutes.


RESULTS
Corneal sensitivity, as determined by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry, was significantly reduced from baseline for 25 minutes following topical administration of ophthalmic proparacaine. Maximal anesthetic effect lasted 5 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
As determined by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry, duration of anesthetic effects on the cornea induced by a single topical application of an ophthalmic preparation of 0.5% proparacaine solution in DSH cats is considerably shorter than the reported duration of corneal anesthesia in dogs.
Binder
Daniel R
DR
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442, USA.
Herring
Ian P
IP
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000662:veterinary*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D006262:Health; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011430:Propoxycaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; C005717:proxymetacaine; D011430:Propoxycaine