Treatment of Corneal Abrasions With Topical Tetracaine
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2018-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Corneal abrasion (CA) is one of the most common eye injuries, accounting for 10% of
eye-related emergency visits.1 A 1985 survey showed that around 3% of all visits to US
general practitioners were for corneal abrasions. In addition, in 2008, approximately 27,450
work-related eye injuries and illnesses occurred that caused missed time from work.1Due to
the large number of nerve endings even small corneal injuries can produce significant pain.
The discomfort is typically most pronounced in the first 24-48 hours, and in many cases
showed a loss in time at work and disruption of daily activities. The current standard of
care in the emergency department includes topical analgesia and antibiotics with a change to
oral analgesics upon discharge. Despite the ineffectiveness of oral analgesics in treating CA
pain, most physicians do not prescribe topical analgesics based on standard medical teaching.
The study's aim is to further investigate the role of tetracaine in the outpatient management
of CA utilizing models already established to ensure safety. To accomplish this investigators
will employ a prospective, double blind, randomized control model to compare undiluted 1%
tetracaine hydrochloride to normal saline in patients presenting to the ED with uncomplicated
corneal abrasions. Tetracaine will be supplied in three plastic prefilled, commercially
available vials, each containing 0.5 mL of preservative-free, undiluted 1% tetracaine
hydrochloride (a total of 1.5 mL or approximately 50 drops will be provide to avoid overuse).
Saline will also be supplied in three plastic prefilled, commercially available vials,
plastic bullets. Follow up visits or calls will be provide at 48 hour to reevaluate symptoms
an asses the patients perceived pain using VAS provided in participant introduction packet
during the informed consent process.
Phase:
Phase 2/Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
New York Methodist Hospital New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital