Does Administration of Proparacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution Prior to Canalicular Probing and Irrigation Decrease Patient Discomfort?

Summary

Purpose: It is unknown whether instillation of a drop of anesthetic ophthalmic solution into the eye such as proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% prior to probing and irrigation of the tear duct (lacrimal drainage) system improves participant comfort during the procedure. To date, there have been no formal studies evaluating the possible benefit of this pretreatment. Methods: Participants 18 years and older who present to the Louisiana State University or associated outpatient ophthalmology clinic(s) with a complaint of epiphora (excessive tearing) who necessitate bilateral lower lid probing and irrigation of the lacrimal drainage system will be enrolled in the study. One eye will be randomized to receive a drop of the anesthetic Proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% and the other eye will receive a control drop of Balanced Salt Solution (BSS). Probing and irrigation will then be performed in the usual fashion. The participant will then be questioned via survey on a pain scale of 1-5 as to the amount of subjective pain experienced on each side during the procedure. Expected Results: Investigators expect participants will experience statistically significantly less pain in eyes that have received a drop of Proparacaine hydrochloride 0.5% prior to performance of probing and irrigation compared to the eyes which have received the control drop.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Drug
  Proparacaine Hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP 0.5%

  One drop instilled in one eye, randomly chosen, as topical anesthetic

• Drug
  Balanced salt solution

  One drop instilled in one eye, randomly chosen, as control placebo

Location