What is proparacaine used for in veterinary ophthalmology?

Proparacaine is primarily used as a topical anesthetic in veterinary ophthalmology, which makes it essential for various ocular procedures. Its ability to temporarily block pain receptors on the surface of the eye allows veterinarians to perform examinations, surgeries, or other intrusives without causing discomfort to the animal. This anesthetic effect is particularly important when handling sensitive areas such as the cornea and conjunctiva, where maintaining patient cooperation is crucial for the success of various procedures.

The other options discuss functions that proparacaine does not perform. For example, promoting healing of the cornea or treating inflammation of the iris would require different types of medications, such as anti-inflammatory or healing agents. Detecting intraocular pressure is typically carried out with tonometry, which is unrelated to the anesthetic properties of proparacaine. Thus, the correct use of proparacaine as a topical anesthetic aligns with its role in facilitating comfortable examinations and procedures in veterinary ophthalmology.