Dose-Dependent Corneal Epithelial and Neural Toxicity of Topical Proparacaine: An <i>In Vivo</i> and <i>In Vitro</i> Study

PURPOSE: models. METHODS: , and CGRP levels by ELISA. Corneal epithelial wound healing was also evaluated. RESULTS: = 0.01), but not with PPC 0.1% or 0.01%. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated application of PPC at the clinical concentration (0.5%) induced corneal epithelial and neural toxicity, whereas diluted concentrations (0.1% and 0.01%) showed no significant adverse effects. These findings highlight the risk of toxicity associated with repeated use of clinical concentration PPC, while also suggesting the potential utility of dilute formulations in select clinical scenarios.