An intracameral combination of tropicamide, phenylephrine and lidocaine in phacoemulsification

Abstract

Background: Although the benefits of intracameral mydriatics have been established in healthy patients, their safety and efficacy in difficult subjects have yet to be determined.

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the safety and efficacy of topical and intracameral application of a combination of tropicamide, phenylephrine and lidocaine during phacoemulsification surgery.

Setting: The study was done at the Department of ophthalmology at the University of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India.

Methods: A total of 50 patients were recruited patients who were operated with phacoemulsification surgery. During the intraoperative period, pupil seize was studied and eventual adverse events have been monitored. Also, comfort reported by patients and surgeons has been investigated.

Results: It was observed that the intracameral drug combination did not have any impact on blood pressure, pulse rate as well as did not affect the Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) dynamics and was successful in maintaining pupil size after its application during surgery.

Conclusion: The combination also proved effective as an anaesthetic agent, which was proven by pain score findings, as the patients were comfortable and compliant enough to tolerate cataract surgery.

Contribution: The mydriatic and anaesthetic combination is efficient enough used topically and intracamerally to carry out phacoemulsification surgery and has a better safety profile when compared with current practices.