Evaluation of demographic feature and Consequences and Complications of Abuse of Topical Anesthetic Drops and Response to Treatment in Patients with Ocular disorders referred to the ophthalmology

Abstract Objective: Topical anesthetic drops are extensively employed in ophthalmology, commonly utilized during foreign object removal and eye surgeries. The improper application of these local anesthetics can lead to severe complications, including blindness. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included all patients with complaints of foreign body sensation, exposure to ultraviolet rays, or misuse of local anesthetic eye drops referred to the ophthalmology emergency department at Sina Hospital in Hamadan from March to September 2020. After obtaining consent, each participant completed a questionnaire, providing information aligned with the research objectives, overseen by an ophthalmologist. Patients experiencing complications from the misuse of anesthesia drops received appropriate treatment and underwent a 1-month follow-up. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Results: In this study, 192 patients (185 men and 7 women) were enrolled, with an average age of 42.69 ± 12.45 years. Among them, 76.56% presented with foreign body complaints in the eye. The most prevalent symptoms were lacrimation (84.37%) and photophobia (73.95%). Before seeking medical attention, a majority of patients had employed non-medical methods, notably eye closure (63.15%) and tea application (45.31%). Recommendations from pharmacy staff (38.27%) and colleagues (33.33%) were most frequently cited as sources of familiarity. Gender (P = 0.37) and education (P = 0.21) showed no correlation with the frequency of tetracaine abuse. Tetracaine abuse was more frequent among those with a history of previous use (P < 0.001). Patients who abused tetracaine exhibited a higher rate of ocular complications, including keratopathy and vision loss (P = 0.011). Conclusion: A significant number of patients resort to local anesthetic drops based on non-specialist recommendations. The prevalence of local anesthetic use is consistent across genders and education levels, with awareness of side effects not acting as a deterrent. The arbitrary use of local anesthetics elevates the risk of ocular complications, including keratopathy and vision loss.