Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background:Cataract surgery is a common and relatively safe surgical procedure performed to treat cataracts. The present study was conducted to compare the anesthetic efficacy of tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% versus lidocaine 2% jelly in cataract surgery. Materials & Methods:58 patients with cataractof both genderswere divided into 2 groups of 29 each. Group I patients received tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% and group II received lidocaine 2% jelly, applied once, approximately 5 minutes before surgery. All patients underwent cataract surgery by clear corneal phacoemulsification. Parameters such as postoperative pain score and the need for supplemental anesthesia were recorded. Results: Group I had 19 males and 10 females and group II had 15 males and 14 females. Score 0 was seen in 7 in group I and 10 in group II, score 1 in 9 and 5, score 2 in 5 and 4, score 3 in 4 and 2, score 4 in 3 and 5 and score 5 in 1 patient and 3 patients respectively. The difference was non- significant (P>0.05).1 patient in group I and 3 in group II required supplemental anesthesia. The difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Tetracaine hydrochloride 0.5% is an effective option for topicalanesthesia for small-incision cataract surgery.