INTRACAMERAL LIDOCAINE FOR PHACOEMULSIFIC ATION UNDER TOPICAL ANESTHESIA - REPORT OF 80 CASES

Purpose To evaluate the advantage of intracameral unpreserved lidocain e for patient comfort during phacoemulsification under topical anesthe sia. Methods In this prospective study, we performed 80 phacoemulsific ations under topical anesthesia, with tetracaine 1% drops, 10 minutes before and at the start of surgery : - 40 patients received 0.3 cc bal anced salt solution (BSS) intracameral injection; - 40 patients receiv ed 0.3 cc unpreserved lidocaine 1% intracameral injection.The same sur gical procedure was performed in both groups. 3.2 mm temporal corneal self-sealing incision, capsulorhexis, foldable polyHEMA IOL implantati on into the capsular bag. There was no intravenous sedation. Results F orty-eight per-cent (19) in the BSS group and 70 % (28) in the lidocai ne group felt no pain. 10% (4) in the BSS group reported sharp pain du ring phacoemulsification. During IOL insertion, no pain was reported b y 48% (19) in the BSS group, and 75% (30) in the lidocaine group; 10% (4) in the BSS group felt severe pain (significant difference : p < 0. 05). Endothelial cell loss was 6% in the BSS group, and 6.4% in the li docaine group (non significant difference). Conclusion Intracameral li docaine is safe and effective in decreasing discomfort among patients undergoing phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia.