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. 2025 Apr 21;16:20420986251332740. doi: 10.1177/20420986251332740

Table 2.

Mydriasis as an off-label use of local anesthetics.

Objective Intervention Patients Technique Drug and dose Result Proposed mechanism Adverse event References
Induce pupil dilation without using preoperative mydriatic eye drops Phacoemulsification 12 Intracameral injection 0.3–0.5 ml of lidocaine 1% Akinesia of the iris, mydriasis 5.2–7.2 mm Anesthesia of all the nerve fibers of the anterior chamber None Cionni et al. 59
Evaluate pupil dilation from intracameral injection of lidocaine Trabeculectomy surgery 25 Intracameral injection 0.2–0.3 ml of lidocaine 1% Mydriasis (7.21 mm male and 5.96 mm female) Not mentioned None Lee et al. 61
Evaluate pupil dilation by lidocaine Phacoemulsification 27 Intracameral injection 0.2–0.3 ml of lidocaine 1% Mydriasis 4.52 ± 0.08 mm Not mentioned None Nikeghbali et al. 60
Quantify the mydriatic and cycloplegic effects from topically applied lidocaine and tetracaine Double-masked, randomized, intra-individually comparing study 52 eyes Topical drops 3 drops of lidocaine 4% in one eye and contralateral tetracaine 1% every 90 s Mydriasis (lidocaine: 3.52 ± 0.76 mm; tetracaine: 3.44 ± 0.59 mm) Blocking constriction of the pupil to the light and paralyze the motor nerves Changes in corneal epithelium Behndig 55
Quantify the mydriatic effect and side effects of topical lidocaine with different pH values and concentrations Intra-individual comparison double-masked randomized study 10 Topical drops Lidocaine (4%, 8% and 16%) Lidocaine 8%: mydriasis (4.16 ± 0.13 mm) Not mentioned Corneal epithelial damage, corneal edema, and reduced vision Claesson et al. 56
Investigate the effects of sub-Tenon’s capsule ropivacaine injection on pupillary diameter Strabismus surgery 16 Sub-Tenon’s 2.5–3 ml of a ropivacaine 1% Mydriasis of 6 mm Ciliary ganglion block None Savino et al. 57
Evaluate pupil dilation with intracameral injection of 1% vs topical eye mydriatic Phacoemulsification 20 Intracameral injection 0.2 ml of lidocaine 1% Mydriasis (lidocaine 1%: 6.54; cyclopentolate 1% + tropicamide 1%: 6.67) Not mentioned None Samarai et al. 62
Study the effect of lidocaine to induce mydriasis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Phacoemulsification 32 Intracameral injection 0.3 ml of lidocaine 1% Mydriasis 5.2 ± 0.5 mm Not mentioned None Joshi 58

AC, anterior chamber; PC, posterior chamber.