Corneal anesthesia associated with topical application of 2% lidocaine nonophthalmic gel to healthy canine eyes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the degree and duration of corneal anesthesia induced by topical application of 2% lidocaine gel to the healthy canine eye.

ANIMALS: Nineteen adult Beagles free of ocular abnormalities.

PROCEDURES: Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured bilaterally with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The 2% lidocaine gel (0.1 mL) was applied to one eye, randomly assigned, and the same volume of a lubricant gel was applied to the opposite eye. The CTT measurements were repeated bilaterally within 1 minute, after drug application, and every 5 minutes, until the baseline corneal sensitivity was restored. The potential for local adverse effects was evaluated.

RESULTS

Complete desensitization of the cornea (CTT = 0) was achieved one minute after lidocaine gel application and was maintained during 25.3 ± 12.5 minutes. Overall, the corneal sensitivity was significantly decreased for 58.4 ± 16.6 minutes compared with baseline level. Minor and reversible punctate epithelial erosions of the cornea were observed in the two treatment groups and were attributed to the anesthetic effect and the aesthesiometry procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, the 2% lidocaine gel provided a sustained, deep and well-tolerated corneal anesthesia in ophthalmically normal dogs.