Proparacaine
About Proparacaine
Proparacaine is a fast-acting local anaesthetic ophthalmic solution used to temporarily numb the surface of the eye. It is primarily applied before medical procedures, pressure checks, or when removing tiny foreign particles from the eye. This medication helps prevent discomfort during delicate clinical examinations and short diagnostic tests.
Because this is a powerful numbing agent, it is typically applied on an as-needed basis by a healthcare provider right before your procedure. It is not meant for regular daily use or long-term self-administration at home. No specific dietary changes are required to help this medication work, but keeping your eyes protected from bright light and dust afterwards is highly recommended.
Some patients may experience mild side effects like a brief stinging, burning, or redness in the eye immediately after the drops are applied. While these minor symptoms usually fade within a few minutes, you should contact a doctor immediately if you experience severe eye pain, changes in vision, or worsening swelling. Seeking prompt medical advice is crucial if any unusual symptoms persist after your procedure.
Do not take this medicine if you have a known allergy to similar local anaesthetics. Proparacaine is an ester-type local anaesthetic (a specific chemical family of numbing medicines), so tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to other ester anaesthetics, such as tetracaine or benzocaine, as cross-reactivity (meaning you may also react to Proparacaine if you have reacted to those medicines before) may occur. It is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor before receiving this medication, especially if you have heart disease, thyroid issues, or highly sensitive eyes.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other eye drops you are currently using to avoid potential interactions. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this medication is safe for you before your scheduled procedure.
Uses of Proparacaine
Medicinal Benefits
Proparacaine helps temporarily numb the surface of the eye, making eye examinations and minor procedures more comfortable.
Benefits may include:
- Acts quickly, allowing eye tests and treatments to begin without unnecessary delay.
- Makes eye examinations and minor procedures more comfortable by reducing pain and discomfort when instruments touch the eye.
- Temporarily reduces the natural blinking reflex, helping the eye specialist examine or treat the eye more easily.
- Helps minimise accidental eye movement, making eye procedures safer, smoother, and more accurate.
Directions for Use
- Proparacaine is for ophthalmic (for eye) use only.
- It is administered by a healthcare provider in a surgical setting.
- Typically, 1-2 drops of Proparacaine are instilled in each eye before an eye procedure.
- Lie down and tilt your head backward. Gently pull your lower eyelid with your index finger to form a pocket. Your doctor will instill the required number of drops into the pocket. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Avoid contact of the dropper tip with the eye or surrounding areas to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Proparacaine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Temporary stinging or burning immediately after application
- Mild eye redness
- Watering of the eyes
- Briefly blurred vision
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, burning, or swelling
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Changes in vision or persistent cloudiness on the surface of the eye
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or difficulty breathing
Drug Warnings
- Check the solution before use: Make sure the eye drops are clear and free of visible particles. Do not use them if the solution looks cloudy, has turned brown, or contains particles.
- Avoid touching your eyes: Keep your hands away from your eyes until the numbness completely wears off. This helps prevent accidental injury and infection.
- Do not use for long periods: Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Prolonged or repeated use can seriously damage the surface of the eye and may lead to permanent vision loss.
- Remove contact lenses: Take out your contact lenses before the drops are applied and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
- Protect your numb eye: Avoid rubbing your eye and protect it from dust, dirt, and accidental bumps until normal feeling returns. Your eye is less able to protect itself while it is numb.
Drug Interactions
- Other ophthalmic medicines (e.g., moxifloxacin, timolol, carboxymethylcellulose): Using these medicines immediately after Proparacaine may reduce their absorption, so they may need to be used a few minutes apart.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine): These medicines may slow the breakdown of Proparacaine, although this interaction is uncommon with eye drops.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known whether Proparacaine interacts with alcohol. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionProparacaine is a category C medicine. When clinically needed, Proparacaine is given by a doctor to pregnant women after doing a risk/benefit assessment.
Breast Feeding
cautionProparacaine should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionProparacaine may cause blurred vision. So, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedProparacaine can be given safely to patients with liver diseases when prescribed.
Kidney
safe if prescribedProparacaine can be given safely to patients with kidney diseases when prescribed.
Children
cautionProparacaine should be used with caution in children. It is not recommended for use in newborns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid touching your eye: Do not rub or touch your eye while it is numb, as you may accidentally injure the surface of your eye without realising it.
- Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses after your appointment to shield your eyes from bright sunlight, wind, and dust until the medicine has worn off.
- Delay contact lenses: Do not wear contact lenses until the numbing effect has completely worn off and your doctor says it is safe.
- Avoid driving: Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear and your eyes are no longer sensitive to light.
Special Advise
- Protect your eyes in bright light; use dark sunglasses when outdoors.
- Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anaesthesia has worn off.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Eye diseases: Eye diseases are of a wide variety ranging from minor eye problems that don't last long such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and major conditions that can lead to blindness such as glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye). Some examples of eye diseases that require diagnostic procedures are refractive errors (near-sightedness and farsightedness), cataracts (clouding of the eye) and glaucoma. The risk of eye diseases is high in older people and patients with diabetes.
FAQs
Proparacaine is used for examining the eye during the diagnosis or detection of any eye disease, or therapeutic procedures.
Proparacaine contains Proparacaine, which works by temporarily blocking the pain signals from the nerves (painful site) to the brain, thereby numbing the affected area and providing relief from pain.
Proparacaine may cause blurred vision, or make your eyes very sensitive to light. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. However, these effects are temporary and resolve within a few hours. Discuss with your doctor the possible risks associated with Proparacaine before using this medicine.
Remove contact lenses at least 15 minutes before using Proparacaine as it causes eye irritation. Proparacaine may cause photophobia (sensitivity to light), so wear sunglasses if you experience sensitivity to light after using this medicine. Proparacaine may also cause blurred vision, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision becomes normal.
Proparacaine usually begins working within 30 seconds and persists for 15 to 20 minutes.
The common side-effects of Proparacaine are stinging in the eyes, burning sensation in the eye, eye redness and watery eyes. These side-effects are mild and temporary.
Wash your hands thoroughly with water before and after use. Lie down and tilt your head backward. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instill the number of drops as advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes. Wipe any excess liquid with a tissue. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip after use. Place the dropper back on the bottle and tighten the cap. Do not touch the tip of the dropper to the eye or surrounding areas as it may contaminate the contents.
No, Proparacaine does not have anti-allergic properties. It is a local anesthetic used to numb (loss of sensation) the eye for minor procedures and does not provide soothing, hydrating, anti-allergy, or antibiotic effects.
It is highly recommended that you avoid driving immediately after your procedure, as your vision may be blurry and your eyes may be sensitive to light. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice.
No, you must avoid rubbing or touching your eye while it is numb. Because you cannot feel pain, rubbing can easily scratch the surface of your cornea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel discomfort.
You should remove your contact lenses before receiving the drops. Do not put them back in until the numbing effect has completely worn off and your doctor confirms it is safe. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequent or prolonged use of this medicine can cause severe, permanent damage to the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye), including corneal ulcers (open sores on the cornea) and vision loss. It should only be used under professional medical supervision. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
You may feel a brief stinging or burning sensation for a few seconds when the drop is first placed in your eye, but this quickly fades as the numbing effect takes over. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if this causes concern.
The numbing effect typically lasts for about 10 to 20 minutes. If your procedure takes longer, your doctor can safely apply another drop. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you still feel pain, discomfort, or excessive sensitivity during the procedure. Do not try to endure the discomfort, as your provider can assess whether additional anaesthetic or another approach is needed.
Yes. Proparacaine may be used in children for certain eye examinations and procedures when considered appropriate by an eye specialist. It is not recommended for use in newborns. It should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional using the lowest effective amount. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about its use in children.
