Efficacy of lignocaine gel for outpatient laser treatment in inflamed eyes

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 2% lignocaine gel in providing analgesia during outpatient transpupillary or trans-scleral lase r treatment of inflamed eyes. Methods A prospective study was carried out of consecutive eligible eyes un dergoing laser treatment using 2% lignocaine gel as a topical anaesthetic a nd a coupling medium. At the conclusion of each procedure, patients were as ked to grade a pain score (0 = no discomfort, 1 = mild discomfort, 2 = mild pain, 3 = moderate pain, 4 = severe pain). Results Twenty eyes in 19 patients received laser treatment. No pain was re ported in 95% of cases treated (no discomfort in 75%, mild discomfort in 20 %) and only mild pain in 5% (one patient). No adverse reactions were encoun tered in any of the patients. There were no complications associated with t he procedures. Conclusions Lignocaine 2% gel is safe and effective for outpatient transpup illary and trans-scleral laser treatment in inflamed eyes, providing adequa te analgesia and serving as a coupling medium at the same time.