Knowledge and attitude of dental surgeons in India toward ocular complications of intra-oral local anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Ocular disturbances such as blurring of vision, mydriasis, palpebral ptosis, diplopia, ptosis, enophthalmos, miosis, and blindness (temporary or permanent) are rare complications due to intra-oral local anesthesia. Currently, the guidelines to dentists on preventing and caring for such ocular problems are lacking. Hence, we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia as a means to assess the need for such guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective survey targeting dentists was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Totally 500 standardized self-administered questionnaires were sent out by E-mail to practicing dentists or academicians. In total, 390 replies were received, and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: About 39% of graduates and 14% postgraduate dentists knew about ocular complications. Journals were the leading source of information among both graduates and postgraduate dentists. 8.3% graduates and 17.6% postgraduate dentists encountered ocular complications. Interestingly most of the graduates and postgraduates responded that ocular complications are underreported in the literature. 90.5% graduates and 84.3% postgraduates are in the opinion that more research should be carried on ocular complications. 98.3% postgraduates and 97.3% graduates favored the prevention of ocular complications. CONCLUSION: The dentist's knowledge about ocular complications due to intra-oral anesthesia in our study group is not adequate and needs improvement. Although the awareness and practice of taking preventive measures are satisfactory, there is a need for specific guidelines to dentists in identifying and clinically managing ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia.