Quantifying and qualifying the use of topical anesthetics in retinopathy of prematurity examinations

Masih Ahmed; Blake Forcina; Dean Bonsall

doi:10.1016/j.jaapos.2015.11.006

Quantifying and qualifying the use of topical anesthetics in retinopathy of prematurity examinations

J AAPOS. 2016 Apr;20(2):177-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2015.11.006. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Authors

Masih Ahmed¹, Blake Forcina², Dean Bonsall²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV. Electronic address: ahmedma@wvuhealthcare.com.
² Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV.

PMID: 26994502
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2015.11.006

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates efforts to minimize discomfort and systemic effect of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examinations. Although many ophthalmologists use topical anesthetics, many do not believe them necessary. We present the results of the first survey to quantify the use of topical anesthetics in ROP examinations by clinicians who screen for ROP. The results show that although use of topical anesthetic is common, it is not universal.

MeSH terms

Administration, Topical
Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage*
Gestational Age
Guidelines as Topic
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Neonatal Screening* / methods
Ophthalmology / organization & administration
Ophthalmology / statistics & numerical data*
Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
Procaine / administration & dosage
Procaine / analogs & derivatives
Propoxycaine / administration & dosage
Retinopathy of Prematurity / diagnosis*
Societies, Medical
Tetracaine / administration & dosage

Substances

Anesthetics, Local
Tetracaine
Procaine
benoxinate
proxymetacaine
Propoxycaine