Transient corneal anaesthesia after topical pindolol in rabbits

The acute corneal anaesthetic potency of 0.5% pindolol eye drops was compared with that of 2% lidocaine and placebo solutions in 10 rabbits. Pindolol produced a rapid-onset anaesthetic effect similar to that of lidocaine, whereas placebo drops were without effect. The chronic effect of 0.25% pindolol, 0.5% timolol and placebo eye drops on corneal sensitivity were evaluated weekly for 1 month in rabbits. None of the solutions affected the basal corneal sensitivity, but pindolol eye drops caused a slight corneal anaesthesia, when tested at 10 min after application, especially during the first weeks of therapy. The effect of timolol was qualitatively similar, but much weaker and not statistically significant.