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Evidence summaries

Topical Anaesthesia Alone Versus Topical Anaesthesia with Intracameral Lidocaine for Phacoemulsification

The use of intracameral unpreserved 1% lidocaine is an effective and safe adjunct to topical anaesthesia for phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 8 studies with a total of 1 281 subjects. Patients using supplementary intracameral lidocaine had significantly lower intraoperative pain perception, although the difference was small (WMD -0.27 95% Cl -0.43 to -0.11). No significant difference was demonstrated between the groups receiving topical anaesthesia alone and topical combined with intracameral anaesthesia in terms of the need for supplemental anaesthesia, intraoperative adverse events or corneal toxicity.

    References

    • Ezra DG, Allan BD. Topical anaesthesia alone versus topical anaesthesia with intracameral lidocaine for phacoemulsification. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD005276. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords