Publication:

A prospective study on the effect of topical lidocaine gel versus drops on ocular pain in manual small incision cataract surgery

Background Cataract is globally acknowledged leading cause of blindness. This study was undertaken to compare the effects of Lidocaine 4% drops with 2% gel on intra operative and post-operative pain in patients who underwent manual small incision cataract surgery.

Methods It was a single Centre, one-surgeon, prospective, comparison study. Patients enrolled for surgeries were divided into Group A: Lidocaine 4% drops 1 ml was instilled in the conjunctival sac 5 minutes before surgery and Group B: Lidocaine 2% gel 2ml was applied. Endpoints evaluated were ocular pain of patient during and after surgery.

Results A total of 60 patients underwent MSICS, out of which 30 each received drops and gel. Mean intraoperative pain VAS score was 2.26±0.69 for gel group and 5.13±1.13 for drops group (p*<0.001) Mean post-operative pain VAS score was 0.26±0.69 in gel group and 1.13±1.13 in drops group (p*=0.002).

Conclusions Compared to drops, Lidocaine gel has reduced intraoperative and post-operative pain.