The Knowledge of Eye Physicians on Local Anesthetic Toxicity and Intravenous Lipid Treatment: Questionnaire Study

Objectives To evaluate the knowledge of ophthalmologists regarding local anesthesia toxicity syndrome (LATS) and intravenous lipid emulsion used in treatment, and to raise awareness of this issue. Materials and Methods A questionnaire comprising 14 questions about demographics, local anesthesia (LA) use, toxicity, and treatment methods was administered to ophthalmologists at different hospitals. Results The study included 104 ophthalmologists (25% residents, 67.3% specialists, 7.7% faculty members) with a mean age of 35.71±6.53 years. The highest number of participants was from state hospitals (65.4%), and 34.6% of the physicians had been working in ophthalmology for more than 10 years. Seventy-six percent of the participants reported using LA every day or more than twice a week, but 56.7% had received no specific training on this subject. No statistically significant difference was observed between different education levels and the rates of training (p=0.419). Bupivacaine was the most preferred LA and the majority of respondents (97.1%) did not use a test dose. Allergy (76%) and hypotension (68.3%) were the most common responses for early findings of LATS, while cardiac arrest (57.4%) and hepatotoxicity (56.4%) were given for late findings. The most common responses concerning the prevention of LATS included monitorization (72.4%) and use of appropriate doses (58.2%). Symptomatic treatment was selected by 72.4% of respondents and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and antihistamine treatment by 58.8%. Of the ophthalmologists in the study, 62.5% had never encountered LATS. The use of 20% intravenous lipid emulsion therapy for toxicity was known by 65% of the physicians, but only 1 participant stated having used it previously. Conclusion The importance of using 20% lipid emulsion in LATS treatment and having it available where LA is administered must be emphasized, and there should be compulsory training programs for ophthalmologists on this subject.