Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
Effect of topical anesthetics on intraocular pressure and pachymetry
J A Montero1, J M Ruiz-Moreno, M Fernandez-Munoz
1Pío del Río Hortega University Hospital, Ophthalmology Unit, Valladolid - Spain. javmonmor@hotmail.com
Purpose:
The determination of intraocular pressure (IOP) by noncontact tonometry (NCT) has been reported to be affected by central corneal thickness (CCT) and by the instillation of topical anesthetics.
Methods:
In order to determine the influence of topical anesthetics on CCT and IOP measured by NCT, 80 eyes from 49 patients were examined before and after the instillation of topical anesthetics.
Results:
Average age was 55.3 years (SD 18.4, range 18 to 93). Twenty-eight patients were female and 21 were male. Average basal IOP was 16.1 mmHg (SD 5.2, range 8 to 35.3). IOP was 14.8 mmHg (SD 4.6, 7.4 to 32.4) (p=0.0005, Student t test for paired data) 5 minutes after topical anesthetics instillation. CCT averaged 541 micronm (SD 32, range 482 to 604) before topical anesthetic drops and 541 micronm (SD 32, 490 to 607, p=0.89, Student t test for paired data) 5 minutes after topical anesthetics instillation.
Conclusions:
The study confirms that the instillation of topical anesthetics causes a reduction in IOP. These changes do not seem to be associated with changes in CCT.
Related Concept Videos
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Glaucoma: Overview
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
