Is it safe to use topical local anaesthetic for the short term relief of the pain from a corneal abrasion? Dr Rob Evison discusses the evidence.
The First10EM review by Dr Justin Morgenstern – https://first10em.com/ebm-lecture-handout-2-topical-anaesthetics-fo-corneal-abrasions/
Fraser R et al. Topical Anaesthetic in the treatment of corneal epithelial defects: What are the risks? Aust J Gen Pract Vol 48 Issue 8 August 2019https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31370122/
Waldman N et al. An Observational study to determine whether routinely sending patients home with a 24-hour supply of topical tetracaine from the emergency department for simple corneal abrasion pain is potentially safe. Annals Emergency Medicine 2018 June;71(6):767-778 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28483289/
Shipman S et al. Short term topical tetracaine is highly efficacious for the treatment of pain caused by corneal abrasions: double-blind, randomised clinical trial. Annals of Emergency Medicine 2020 Oct 27 online https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33121832/
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