The knowledge of the dentists in dental clinics in Kerman City, Iran, about ocular complications after local anesthesia

Ocular disorder like, diplopia, mydriasis, blurred vision, ptosis, exophthalmos, and blindness (permanent or temporary) are infrequent complications of an injection of local anesthetics in mouth. The main purpose of this study was to survey the dentist’s knowledge and attitude about ocular disorders due to intra-oral anesthetics injection. METHODS: A three-part questionnaire including demographic data and questions on knowledge and attitude about ocular complication was distributed among 197 dentists in Kerman, Iran. Data analysis were performed using the SPSS. RESULTS: Of the study participants, 7.6% did not have any knowledge regarding the ocular complications after local anesthetics injection and 10.7% indicated that eye problems have not been occurred following the dental anesthesia. Among the participants who were aware of this issue expressed self-experience in the clinical practice as the major source of their information, while just 2.0% indicated that their awareness on the ocular complications was from the studies published. In addition, this lack of knowledge in general dentists was more than the specialists. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of the dentists regarding the ocular complications due to anesthesia in the present survey investigation is not satisfactory and needs enhancement. There is a necessity for precise protocol for dentists in recognizing and managing ocular complications by intra-oral anesthetics injections.