ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly. SETTING: A district general hospital. METHODS: Fifty patients having cataract surgery were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised 20 patients who had topical eyedrop anesthesia and corneal irrigation with balanced salt solution (BSS(R)) during surgery as necessary. Group 2 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and just before the corneal incision was made as well as corneal moisturizing by BSS during surgery. Group 3 comprised 15 patients who received lignocaine jelly on arrival and additional lignocaine jelly if necessary just before the corneal incision was made to maintain corneal clarity. The duration of efficacy and the frequency of the applications of the 2 agents were recorded. Corneal clarity and reflections were noted intraoperatively. Corneal status was assessed postoperatively in the ward. RESULTS: Preoperative lignocaine 2% jelly maintained corneal clarity longer than BSS (P <.001). A second application of lignocaine was needed when surgery was prolonged. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal-wetting property of lignocaine 2% jelly can be useful during cataract surgery by avoiding repeated corneal irrigation with BSS.
Subject(s)
Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage , Cornea/drug effects , Lidocaine/administration & dosage , Wetting Agents/administration & dosage , Acetates/administration & dosage , Acetates/therapeutic use , Aged , Anesthetics, Local/therapeutic use , Drug Combinations , Gels , Humans , Intraoperative Care , Lidocaine/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Minerals/administration & dosage , Minerals/therapeutic use , Ophthalmic Solutions , Preoperative Care , Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage , Sodium Chloride/therapeutic use , Wetting Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
A 79-year-old patient was referred for cataract and high myopia. His optometrist noted difficult refraction. Biometry predicted an emmetropic intraocular lens power of +22.0 diopters. During cataract extraction, the typical features of posterior lenticonus were noted. A careful look for posterior lenticonus is suggested in cases in which there is a discrepancy between the biometry and refraction and no significant nuclear sclerosis to account for the high myopia. Surgeons should be aware of dehiscence or thinning of the posterior capsule while doing cataract extraction in these patients.
