Distraction Techniques in Periocular Anesthesia: Tapping vs Vibration

Distraction Techniques in Periocular Anesthesia: Tapping vs Vibration

To compare the efficacy of topical tapping vs vibration in lowering pain scores for periocular anesthesia injections.

Participants will be selected from 3 local oculoplastics surgeons' procedural slates during the study period. Eligible participants are those who will be undergoing bilateral eye procedures. They will be randomized into one of two groups: Group A will receive tapping on their forehead for their first eye injection of local anesthesia, and then vibration to their forehead for the second eye. Group B will receive the reverse. Pain scores will be aggregated and an average taken to help determine which method is superior. The vibration assist device (variety of facial massagers are available on Amazon for roughly $16-20CDN) is being considered in addition to the current standard of tapping or no tactile distraction at all during the injection of local anesthetic. The 11-point pain Visual Analog Scale will be used to help grade pain experience after each eye is frozen. To help qualify, if there is a difference, the patient will be asked if they felt one technique was better than the other by a little, quite a bit, or a lot.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients undergoing elective bilateral eye procedures such as blepharoplasty

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous eyelid surgery
• inability to give consent