OCULAR PAIN SENSITIVITY OF SELECTED TOPICAL ANAESTHETICS

ABSTRACT

Local anesthetics have a noteworthy history of viability and wellbeing in clinical practice. In Optometry practice, numerous procedures won’t be performed without the utilization of topical anesthetic their utilization is so normal and rarely have harmful impacts on humans. Ophthalmic practices are one of the most common procedures that require anesthesia. Pain is a sensation of the body and is always an unpleasant emotional experience. Pain sensitivity refers to an increased sensitivity and extreme response to pain. This study aimed at comparing the pain sensation of selected topical anesthetics in different percentages felt upon instillation. The data was using a ten point Visual Analogue Graphic Pain Scale and analyzed using the statistical packages for Social Sciences (SPSS).Version 22.0 alongside other statistical tests like Mean, Standard Deviation and paired t-test. There were sixty (60) adult participants, thirty males and females each between the ages of 22-27 years with a mean age of 24.5± 1.11. The results for the Amethocaine 0.5% and Lidocaine 2% group was p=0.007,Amethocaine 0.25% and Lidocaine 1% group p=0.707,Amethocaine 0.25% and Proparacaine 0.0025% group p=0.008, Amethocaine 0.5% and Proparacaine 0.005% p=0.541, Proparacaine 0.005% and Lidocaine 2% p=0.326 and the Proparacaine 0.0025% and Lidocaine 1% p=0.245 Proparacaine 0.0025% with a mean value of 1.4±1.95 (p<0.05) makes Proparacaine 0.0025% the most tolerated drug amongst the six concentrations of drugs used for this study. This study recommends that further study should be done to access the stinging effect of the same drug concentration after the first instillation. KEYWORDS: Anesthetic, Pain, Pain sensitivity, Ten point Visual Analouge Graphic Scale