PubMed · 2012369
Tolerance to topical preparations: cold or warm?
Abstract
Ocular irritation from topical preparations is related to their viscosity, osmolarity, and pH value. We investigated the effect of temperature on ocular discomfort in 40 volunteers without a history of neuropathy and keratopathy. The dilating drops, tropicamide and phenylephrine were available at two different temperatures, 4 degrees C ("cold") versus 20 degrees C ("warm"). Each patient received cold drops in one eye and warm drops in the fellow eye. Ocular discomfort was similar in both groups. Eyes that received cold drops had a delayed irritation versus an instantaneous irritation with the warm drops. Cold drops may have a transient anesthetic effect on pain nerve endings that fades once the drops warm up to body temperature.
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A M Mansour. 1991. Tolerance to topical preparations: cold or warm?. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2012369/
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