AIM: To compare corneal epithelial injury by using different surface anesthetics in A ultrasound examination.

METHODS: Subjects who accepted A ultrasound examination were randomly divided into three groups: 5g/L tetracaine group(n=50), 20g/L lidocaine group(n=60)and 5g/L Aier Kai genome group(n=60). The patients were instructed to use the surface anesthetics three times in a five minute interval before the A ultrasound examination. Corneal epithelial injury was measured by corneal fluorescein staining.

RESULTS: χ² test results showed the CSF score of three groups had significant difference(P<0.05). The extent of damage to the cornea in the 5g/L Aier Kai genome group was significantly lower compared with the others(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Varying degrees of damage to the corneal epithelium caused by surface anesthetics and toxic effects of 5g/L Aier Kai genome on the corneal epithelium is minimum.