Proparacaine
About Proparacaine
Proparacaine belongs to the class of medications called ‘ophthalmic agents’ used for examining the eye during the diagnosis or detection of any eye disease, or therapeutic procedures. It can help detect eye inflammation or any other eye diseases such as uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eyewall) or in the ophthalmoscopy procedures (retinal examination) or during eye surgeries.
Proparacaine contains Proparacaine which works by blocking the pain signals at the nerve endings in the eye. This allows proper examination of the inside of your eye. It is commonly used to anesthetize the eye before cataract surgery or any other surgery in the eye and also in the examination of the eye.
Proparacaine is available for external use only in the form of eye drops. You should use Proparacaine as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Proparacaine are headache, dizziness, blurred vision, photophobia (sensitivity to light), eye pain, eye irritation, and burning or stinging sensation in the eye. Most of these side effects of Proparacaine are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use Proparacaine in more than prescribed doses, or for a longer duration. Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic is not recommended. It may produce permanent corneal opacification (loss of normal transparency of cornea) with accompanying visual loss. If you are allergic to Proparacaine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. You are advised to consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Proparacaine is not recommended for children below 2 years of age. You are recommended not to use contact lenses during the course of Proparacaine as it may worsen cause irritation. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. This medicine may also make your eyes more sensitive to light. Until the effects wear off, protect your eyes from the sun or bright light. Proparacaine is a cold chain medicine and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius else its efficiency might be lost. Do not store in the freezer of the fridge.
Uses of Proparacaine
Medicinal Benefits
Proparacaine belongs to the group of medicines called rapid-acting local anesthetics. It is used to prepare the eyes for an eye examination, surgery, or other conjunctival procedures. Proparacaine contains Proparacaine, which works by blocking the pain signals at the nerve endings in the eye, thereby numbing the affected area and providing relief from pain. This allows proper examination of the inside of your eye.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Proparacaine
- Stinging in the eyes
- Burning sensation in the eye
- Eye redness
- Watery eyes
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Proparacaine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. It is advised to remove contact lenses at least 15 minutes before instilling Proparacaine drops as it may eye irritation. After you use Proparacaine, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Proparacaine may make your eyes more sensitive to light. Protect your eyes in bright light; use dark sunglasses when outdoors. Prolonged use of a topical ocular anesthetic is not recommended. It may produce permanent corneal opacification with accompanying visual loss. Avoid touching your eye until the numbing effects of Proparacaine have worn off completely. Inform your doctor if you have had heart problems and overactive thyroid before using Proparacaine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Proparacaine may interact with painkillers (acetaminophen, aspirin), antihypertensives (amyl nitrite), anesthetics (bupivacaine, chloroprocaine).
Drug-food interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-disease interactions: Proparacaine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases, thyroid problems, and tachycardia (increased heart rate).
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
- Sleep for at least six to eight hours to rejuvenate your eyes naturally.
- Wash your eyes with clean water at least two to three times a day
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages as they can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This effect can also affect your body’s ability to fight off infections.
- Reduce screen time (by avoiding watching tv or phone) and use sunglasses while going out into the sunlight.
Special Advise
- Protect your eyes in bright light; use dark sunglasses when outdoors.
- Patients should be advised to avoid touching the eye until the anesthesia 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 blocks the pain signals from the nerves (painful site) to the brain, thereby numbing the affected area and provides 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 work with a single drop, the onset of anesthesia usually begins 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.
