Effect of topical anesthesia on evaluation of corneal sensitivity and intraocular pressure in rats and dogs

Objective To determine the effect of 0.5% proparacaine in tonometry by evaluating corneal touch threshold (CTT) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Animal studied Nine rats (18 eyes, Sprague–Dawley) and 10 dogs (20 eyes, Beagle) Procedures The IOP and CTT were measured in each eye before and after topical anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine. The IOP was evaluated using Tonopen for dogs and Tonolab for rats. The corneal sensitivity was evaluated by CTT through a Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer. Results The mean IOP was not significantly changed in rats or dogs before and after topical anesthesia. However, after application of proparacaine, CTT was significantly increased in both animal groups compared with that before application of proparacaine. Conclusion From this study, topical anesthesia was found to significantly lower the corneal sensitivity but have little effect on IOP measurements. In ophthalmologic examination, topical anesthesia can be used to reduce corneal sensation without an effect on IOP.     

Survival of equine herpesvirus-4, feline herpesvirus-1, and feline calicivirus in multidose ophthalmic solutions

Objective To determine survival over time of infectious equine herpesvirus‐4, feline herpesvirus‐1, and feline calicivirus in three commercially available and commonly used ophthalmic solutions (eyewash, fluorescein, and proparacaine HCl). Sample population Viruses used in this study were originally isolated from eyes of animals referred to the University of Illinois. Equine herpesvirus‐4 was propagated in MDBK cells and feline herpesvirus‐1 and feline calicivirus in CRFK cells. Procedure After separately inoculating a designated solution with a specific titer of an individual virus, solutions were incubated per manufacturer's recommendations, either at 4 °C or 25 °C. Virus titers within solutions were subsequently measured at 1, 8, and 24 h and 3, 5 and 7 days post inoculation using either plaque or TCID₅₀ assays. Results Equine herpesvirus‐4, feline herpesvirus‐1, and feline calicivirus were present in eyewash for 7 days, 5 days, and 7 days, respectively. Eyewash did not decrease survival time of any virus when compared to controls. Equine herpesvirus‐4 and feline herpesvirus‐1, both enveloped viruses, were not recovered at any time ≥ 1 h post inoculation in fluorescein. Feline calicivirus, a nonenveloped virus, was present in fluorescein for 7 days. Equine herpesvirus‐4 and feline herpesvirus‐1 did not remain infectious in proparacaine at any time ≥ 1 h post inoculation, but feline calicivirus was recovered at up to 24 h post inoculation. Conclusions Equine herpesvirus‐4, feline herpesvirus‐1, and feline calicivirus may be readily transmissible via the eyewash solution used in this study. Risk of iatrogenic transmission of the three viruses used in this study was significantly reduced in both fluorescein and proparacaine solutions. Feline calicivirus, the only nonenveloped virus evaluated, remained viable longer in both fluorescein and proparacaine solutions.     

Assessment of bacterial contamination of three multidose ophthalmic solutions

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of bacterial contamination of multidose proparacaine hydrochloride, tropicamide, and eyewash bottles used in veterinary ophthalmology examination rooms during normal operating procedures. METHODS: Three representative bottles each of proparacaine hydrochloride, tropicamide, and purified water eye wash were opened at the same time, numbered, and placed into small animal examination rooms. Doctors, students and technicians who were using the solutions were blinded to the study. Aerobic cultures were obtained at the time of opening (time 0), at 1 week (time 1), and at 2 weeks after opening (time 2) the bottles. The sites cultured included a drop of each solution, the inside of the bottle cap, the tip of the bottle, and the bottle threads and medication residue found in these threads. RESULTS: Aerobic cultures of tropicamide and proparacaine had no growth of bacteria from any of the evaluated sites. Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from the tip of one bottle of eye wash after 1 week. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that proparacaine, tropicamide, and eyewash solutions used in veterinary examination rooms are adequately preserved for use in ophthalmic examination. They have a low level of bacterial contamination 1 or 2 weeks after opening when used and stored according to the recommendations of the product manufacturers and previous studies.