Efficacy of Oral Sucrose and Topical Anesthetics to Reduce Pain During Eye Examination for Retinopathy of Prematurity

Efficacy of Oral Sucrose and Topical Anesthetics to Reduce Pain During Eye Examination

Oral sucrose reduces pain during heel sticks and venipunctures in preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of local anesthetic eye drops and a pacifier, plus repeated doses of 24% sucrose, to relieve pain associated with eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity.

Oral sucrose reduces pain during heel sticks and venipunctures in preterm infants. Administration of oral sucrose with and without non-nutritive sucking is the most frequently studied non-pharmacological intervention for procedural pain relief in neonates.The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of local anesthetic eye drops and a pacifier, plus repeated doses of 24% sucrose, to relieve pain associated with eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity.

Inclusion Criteria:

-VLBW infants <32 weeks of gestational age

Exclusion Criteria:

• infants >32 weeks of gestational age
• neuromuscular abnormality
• major abnormality