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Tetracaine is commonly used in the emergency department (ED) to treat corneal abrasions, but it is typically not given to patients to use after discharge due to concerns about impaired wound healing. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, researchers in New Zealand evaluated the safety and efficacy of 1% tetracaine hydrochloride versus saline, applied every 30 minutes for 24 hours after ED discharge, in a convenience sample of 116 patients with uncomplicated corneal abrasions. Patients were either followed up in the clinic at 48 hours or by phone after 1 week and 1 month.
At 48 hours, there were no significant differences between the tetracaine and saline groups in the proportion of patients with healing measured by fluorescein upt…