proxymetacaine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Ester-type local anaesthetic
Usual role
Temporary surface anaesthesia for eye examinations and minor procedures
Administration
Normally applied by a doctor or eye-care professional
After application
Protect the numb eye and do not drive until vision is clear
What is proxymetacaine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product is licensed as a topical ocular anaesthetic.
Numbing the eye for examination or measurement of pressure inside the eye
Surface anaesthesia before removal of a foreign body or eye suture
Providing deeper surface anaesthesia for an eye procedure
How does proxymetacaine hydrochloride work?
It temporarily reduces sodium movement through sensory nerve membranes. This reversibly stops pain signals starting and travelling from the eye’s surface.
proxymetacaine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 0.5% w/v
How to take proxymetacaine hydrochloride
This preparation is normally applied directly to the eye by an eye-care professional.
Remove contact lenses before administration and leave them out until the numbing effect has completely worn off.
Gentle pressure over the inner corner of the closed eye can reduce drainage into the nose and systemic absorption.
Do not rub or touch the eye while it is numb; protect it from chemicals and foreign material.
Do not drive or use hazardous machinery until vision is clear.
Discard the single-use unit after opening. Do not use solution that is darker than pale yellow.
proxymetacaine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Temporary blurred vision can occur after instillation.
Get urgent medical advice
- Rare severe corneal hypersensitivity or inflammation, potentially causing intense eye symptoms, corneal clouding or epithelial damage
- Corneal softening, erosion, clouding and possible sight loss with frequent or prolonged use
proxymetacaine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Product-specific safety during pregnancy has not been established. The eye-care specialist should use it only when they consider it essential and should be told about a pregnancy or possible pregnancy before administration.
proxymetacaine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Product-specific safety during breastfeeding has not been established, so the eye-care specialist should decide whether use is essential. UK patient guidance notes that local anaesthetics are generally compatible with breastfeeding, but this does not replace a medicine-specific assessment, particularly for a premature or unwell infant.
proxymetacaine hydrochloride interactions
No systemic medicine interactions are stated in the selected SmPC, but administration with other eye preparations requires care.
Fluorescein eye staining preparations
They are not miscible. Fluorescein may be applied separately after the eye has been anaesthetised.
Other topical eye preparations
Administer separately rather than simultaneously, following the eye-care professional’s sequence.
Common questions about proxymetacaine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is it used during an eye-pressure test?
It temporarily numbs the corneal surface so the measuring instrument can touch the eye with less discomfort.
Does it treat the cause of eye pain?
No. It temporarily blocks surface sensation and does not treat the underlying injury, inflammation or disease.
Who normally administers the eye drops?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.