Alcaine drops

About Alcaine drops

Alcaine drops Uses

• Numbing the eye before tonometry (eye pressure testing)
• Removing foreign bodies or sutures from the eye
• Short diagnostic and minor surgical eye procedures
• Numbing the eye before certain laser procedures

Drug Class

• Topical local anesthetic
• Ophthalmic anesthetic agent

What Experts Say

Proparacaine blocks nerve signals on the surface of the eye within about 20 seconds, giving quick, short lasting numbness.

It is applied by an eye care professional immediately before a procedure, never dispensed for a patient to use repeatedly at home.

Repeated or prolonged use can damage the surface of the eye, which is why it is strictly limited to short, supervised clinical use.

Alcaine drops formula

• Proparacaine Hydrochloride 0.5%

Available forms

• Eye Drops

How to use Alcaine drops?

• Used only by an eye doctor or trained clinical staff.
• One or two drops are applied directly before the procedure.
• The eye stays numb for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Avoid touching or rubbing the eye until sensation fully returns.
• Not intended for patients to self administer at home.

Drug Interactions

Alcaine is used as a single application before a procedure, so drug interactions are uncommon.

• Other eye drops or ointments: Space apart from other ophthalmic medicines used in the same visit as directed by the eye doctor.
• Preservative sensitive patients: Report any known sensitivity to eye drop preservatives before the procedure.

Risks and warnings

• Professional use only: Never self administer or use repeatedly without direct medical supervision.
• Corneal damage: Repeated or prolonged use can injure the surface of the eye.
• Eye protection: The numbed eye is prone to accidental injury, so avoid touching or rubbing it.
• Allergy: Rare hypersensitivity reactions can occur with local anesthetics.
• Contamination: The bottle should be handled per clinical protocol to avoid eye infection.

Alcaine drops Side Effects

• Temporary stinging or burning on application
• Temporary blurred vision
• Eye redness
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Corneal irritation with repeated use

Storage Conditions

Store below 25°C, protect from light, and discard if the solution turns discolored or cloudy.