Fingertip dermatitis in an ophthalmologist caused by proparacaine

PURPOSE: To report the late diagnosis of allergic response to proparacaine hydrochloride in an ophthalmologist. METHOD: Case report. In a 49-year-old practicing ophthalmologist, the histo ry, clinical findings of fingertip dermatitis, skin pathology, and skin pat ch testing are described. RESULTS: Proparacaine, as the initiating agent, took almost 3 years to iden tify because of the unusual pattern of allergy. We explored numerous treatm ent options before identifying and removing the offending agent. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists may be exposed to pro paracaine on a daily ba sis. This unique report heightens the awareness of this rare work related c omplication. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;127:240-241. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Scienc e Inc. All rights reserved.).