title: Quantifying and qualifying the use of topical anesthetics in retinopathy of prematurity examinations.
abstract: The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates efforts to minimize discomfort and systemic effect of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examinations. Although many ophthalmologists use topical anesthetics, many do not believe them necessary. We present the results of the first survey to quantify the use of topical anesthetics in ROP examinations by clinicians who screen for ROP. The results show that although use of topical anesthetic is common, it is not universal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV. Electronic address: ahmedma@wvuhealthcare.com.
authors.forename: Masih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV.
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forcina
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonsall
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005865:Gestational Age; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011343:Procaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011430:Propoxycaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D013748:Tetracaine; D011343:Procaine; C005298:benoxinate; C005717:proxymetacaine; D011430:Propoxycaine