Does a numbing eye drop reduce pain during tear duct probing and irrigation?
Does Administration of Proparacaine Hydrochloride 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution Prior to Canalicular Probing and Irrigation Decrease Patient Discomfort?
This test will see if putting a numbing drop (proparacaine 0.5%) into the eye before tear duct probing and irrigation makes the procedure less painful for adults with excessive tearing.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 145 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| Trial ID | NCT05663684 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults aged 18 and older who present with excessive tearing and need bilateral lower eyelid probing and irrigation are enrolled at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Each participant has one eye randomized to receive a proparacaine 0.5% drop and the other eye a balanced salt solution drop, followed by standard probing and irrigation. Participants rate discomfort on a 1–5 scale after the procedure to compare pain between the anesthetic and control eyes. The study is a phase 4, within-subject randomized comparison with single-visit outcome measurement.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who present with epiphora requiring bilateral lower lid probing and irrigation at the enrolling LSU clinics, who can consent and have no allergy to proparacaine or prior nasolacrimal surgery/scarring, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with a known allergy to proparacaine, pre-existing nasolacrimal scarring/surgery or obstruction found on probing, cognitive impairment, or those requiring only unilateral procedures would not be expected to benefit from this comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, using a topical proparacaine drop could make probing and irrigation more comfortable for adults with tearing problems.
How similar studies have performed: Topical anesthetic use during canalicular probing is common in children, but this specific randomized within-subject comparison has not been formally tested in adults.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants of any sex aged 18 years or older * Signs and symptoms of epiphora which necessitate performance of a diagnostic probing and irrigation of the bilateral lower eyelid lacrimal drainage system at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center or any of the listed physician offices who present with a complaint of epiphora from either eye Exclusion Criteria: * A known allergy to topical proparacaine hydrochloride * Known pre-existing scarring, surgery, radiation to the nasolacrimal system * Presence of blockage and or reflux on probing and irrigation of either side * Cognitive Impairment
Where this trial is running
New Orleans, Louisiana
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center — New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Austin M Pharo, MD — LSU Health Sciences Center
- Study coordinator: Austin M Pharo, MD
- Email: apharo@lsuhsc.edu
- Phone: (504) 568-3156
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.