title: Tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% versus lidocaine 2% jelly as a topical anesthetic agent in cataract surgery: comparative clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the anesthetic efficacy of tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% (TetraVisc) versus lidocaine 2% jelly in routine cataract extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private surgicenter, Warwick, Rhode Island, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial comprised 100 patients having routine cataract extraction by clear corneal phacoemulsification. Patients were randomized to receive TetraVisc or lidocaine 2% jelly, applied once, approximately 5 minutes before surgery. Outcomes included a self-reported postoperative pain score and the need for supplemental anesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean self-reported postoperative pain scores for TetraVisc and lidocaine 2% jelly were similar (0.94 and 1.02, respectively; P = .76). A single patient in the lidocaine group required supplemental anesthesia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TetraVisc was as effective as lidocaine 2% jelly as a topical anesthetic agent for routine cataract extraction.
authors.affiliation: howard_amiel@brown.edu
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amiel
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine