Local anaesthetics allow your Optometrist to measure your eye pressure or remove a foreign body painlessly as they numb the front surface of your eye.

They may use any of the following anaesthetic drops: Lidocaine, Oxybuprocaine, Proxymetacaine or Tetracaine.

The drops take around 60 seconds to work and effects may last up to 25 minutes. They can sting very briefly at first.

After the drops are put in:

Do not rub your eyes.

Avoid getting dust or grit in the eyes.

Don't put any contact lenses in your eyes until you are told it is safe to do so by your Optometrist.

In the unlikely event you experience any unusual symptoms such as pain or soreness in or around the eyes or any blurred vision, please contact your Optometrist as a matter of urgency or present to Accident or Emergency as this may mean you’re experiencing an adverse reaction to the drops.