Subconjunctival lidocaine lessens rate of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection

Antibacterial properties in lidocaine given subconjunctivally as anesthesia may reduce the rate of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections, according to a study. The retrospective chart review included 15,042 intravitreal injections; a 2% lidocaine/0.1% methylparaben preparation was administered before 6,853 of those injections, and no cases of endophthalmitis ensued. The remaining 8,189 injections were given in conjunction with other types of anesthesia, and eight cases of endophthalmitis ensued.

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