OCULAR TOXICITY FOLLOWING TOPICAL APPLICATION OF ANESTHETIC CREAM TO THE EYELID SKIN

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of topical anesthetic cream in the p eriorbital region may be of clinical value. The potential for toxic ef fects from such use has not been studied in a controlled manner. This study was performed to evaluate thr potential ocular toxicity of anest hetic cream topically applied to the eyelid in an animal model. MATERI ALS AND METHODS: Ten rabbits underwent periorbital eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine) applica tion and were observed for evidence of gross or microscopic ocular tox icity Baseline external and anterior segment examinations were perform ed including biomicroscopy and fluorescein staining, after which a sta ndard quantity of EMLA cream (0.75 g) was applied along the upper eyel id and covered with an occlusive dressing, After 1 hour of treatment, the eyelid and anterior segment: were examined for evidence of adverse reaction, The eyelids were excised and examined histopathologically, RESULTS: No significant adverse effects were noted on external lid and anterior segment examination, The histopathologic findings were withi n normal limits.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that external applica tion of EMLA. cream to the eyelid does not induce local toxicity in th e rabbit model. The external application of EMLA cream may be safe in the periorbital region.