Which of the following is a key feature of proparacaine?

Proparacaine is a local anesthetic commonly used in veterinary ophthalmology to facilitate procedures on the eye. A key feature of proparacaine is that it decreases sensitivity of the conjunctiva and cornea. This quality is crucial when performing ocular examinations or surgeries, as it helps to minimize discomfort and pain for the patient, enabling veterinarians to conduct detailed assessments or procedures without causing distress.

Local anesthesia functions by blocking nerve signals in the area where it is applied, and in the case of proparacaine, it particularly affects the sensory nerves in the ocular surface. This allows for procedures such as tonometry, fluor-escopic examinations, and other diagnostic manipulations to be carried out effectively.

In contrast, other features mentioned may not align with the characteristics of proparacaine. For instance, it is not administered orally; its effectiveness is maximized when applied topically to the ocular surface. Proparacaine does not cause pupil constriction, as it is primarily an anesthetic agent rather than a drug that modifies pupillary response. Additionally, while proparacaine provides rapid onset of anesthesia, it is considered a short-acting anesthetic, typically lasting around 15 to 30 minutes, rather than a long-acting