Corneal anesthesia following application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution to normal feline eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the loss and recovery of corneal sensitivity after instillation of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride solution in the normal feline eye.


METHODS
Eighteen European shorthair cats free of ocular disease


METHODS
Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) readings were obtained bilaterally with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer prior to treatment. Subsequently, each cat received a single drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in the right eye and one drop of sterile 0.9% NaCl in the left eye to serve as control. The corneal touch threshold (CTT) of both eyes was then measured 1 min after drug administration and every 5 min for 60 min. The potential for ocular irritation following oxybuprocaine application was also evaluated.


RESULTS
Baseline CTT readings were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the control and oxybuprocaine-treated eyes with values of 1.75 ± 0.31 cm and 1.75 ± 0.30 cm, respectively. In control eyes, mean CTT did not significantly change (P > 0.05) during the study period. By contrast, after oxybuprocaine application mean CTT was significantly reduced from baseline (P < 0.05) for 45 min. Maximal corneal anesthesia, with a CTT value of 0, was achieved at 1 and 5 min in all treated eyes. A markedly reduced mean CTT of 0.14 ± 0.23 cm was still present at 20 min. Age and gender did not significantly affect corneal anesthesia. No clinically relevant ocular side effects occurred during the observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study that provides objective information on the depth and duration of corneal anesthesia following instillation of oxybuprocaine in healthy feline eyes.
Département des Sciences Cliniques, INP-Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, 23 chemin des Capelles, BP 87614, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
Valentina
V
Giudici
Sophia
S
Baeza
Jean-Yves
JY
Douet
Alain
A
Regnier
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011343:Procaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011343:Procaine; C005298:benoxinate
Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer; cat; corneal anesthesia; corneal sensitivity; oxybuprocaine