OCULAR PENETRATION OF PROCAINE FOLLOWING SUBCONJUNCTIVAL INJECTION

Abstract

THIS REPORT concerns one phase of a long-range investigation which has been directed toward development of more effective local anesthetic drugs and improved methods of their administration in ophthalmologic practice. In this particular study it has been our purpose to determine factors influencing the ocular penetration and distribution of procaine following subconjunctival injection. By ``subconjunctival" we refer to the issue which is under the epithelium of the bulbar conjunctiva but is external to Tenon's capsule. The distribution of anesthetic drugs following subcapsular injections will be investigated later. Subconjunctival injections of procaine hydrochloride commonly are made if manipulation of the iris is to be required during ocular surgery; however, a review of the literature reveals no unanimity of opinion regarding the efficacy of such injections. Many surgeons advocate this method of anesthesia, whereas others feel that retrobulbar injection is superior for such operative procedures as iridectomy One per cent procaine hydrochloride