Hi Stephen/Harry,

Thanks for your efforts on trying to
solve this one.

I did get a reply from a clinical nurse
at Candela after enquirying through the laser suppliers.
Candela weren't clear on the origin or real
basis for recommendation: they felt it
probably was related to flammability risks.
The nurse said she teaches customers to avoid
petroleum based products in general.

Guess they should delete this very specific recommendation
from manual in absence of real evidence.

Just goes to prove yet again that you can
only trust a statement when its given a reference (Boyle, 2004).

Regards,


Gerard Boyle



-----Original Message-----
From: Harry Moseley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 30 August 2004 17:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: BMLA laser safety course


Dear Stephen

I am copying the correspondence on this issue. The issue was raised by
Gerard Boyle in St James's Hospital, Dublin. It is a great pity if the
company that issued the advice is unable or unwilling to explain the
reasoning behind it.

Regards
Harry


Harry Moseley wrote:

>It would be interesting to hear from any ophthalmologists.
>
>Does this have anything to do with flammability?
>
>Harry
>
>
>Harry Moseley
>
>Hon. Reader
>Consultant Medical Physicist
>The Photobiology Unit
>University of Dundee
>Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
>Dundee
>DD1 9SY
>United Kingdom
>
>Tel: (0)1382 633894
>Fax: (0)1382 646047
>
>
>
>
>>>>[log in to unmask] 6/23/2004 11:34:23 AM >>>
>>>>
>>>>
>Hello everybody,
>
>Took delivery of a dye laser recently and in manual states
>that oil based topical anaesthetics should not be used
>when putting in eye shields under eyelids.  Says '
>water based anaesthetics are best'.
>
>Wondering has this has any basis in fact or is it just another
>one of those things that becomes fact cause someone said it once?
>Trawl of internet didn't throw up any indicents with oil based
>anaesthetics.  And anyway, most of the topical anaesthetics
>seem to be oil/water mixes/emulsions.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Regards,
>
>Gerard Boyle
>
>
>**********************************************************************
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>

>>> [log in to unmask] 8/30/2004 5:21:27 PM >>>
Was it you that sent me a query about the use of oil based topical
anesthetics in conjunction with a laser shield?  This was excerpted
from
a safe operating procedure manual in a Candela laser and it came from
Dublin.

It if was  .. First, Candela has not responded to several emails about
this statment in their labeling.  Second, I know of no oil based
anesthetic approved for ophthalmic use in the United States. And
third,
I can't find it in a pharmacopia nor can I find any knowledge of it
among a selection of thoughful peers.

If  this was not your question, who is the laser safety officer in
Dublin who asked the question?

Rgards

Stepohen Trokel
Columbia University, New York City



Harry Moseley wrote:

>Dear all,
>
>BMLA will be running a course on laser safety on 10 September, 2004
in
>London.
>
>Please see the attachments for details.
>
>Regards
>
>
>
>Harry Moseley
>
>Hon. Reader
>Consultant Medical Physicist
>The Photobiology Unit
>University of Dundee
>Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
>Dundee
>DD1 9SY
>United Kingdom
>
>Tel: (0)1382 633894
>Fax: (0)1382 646047
>
>


**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager. www.stjames.ie
**********************************************************************