The FDA has approved chloroprocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic gel 3% (Iheezo; Harrow) for use as an ocular surface anesthesia. Iheezo is a sterile, single-use ophthalmic gel preparation administered by physicians. The treatment contains no preservatives and is safe and effective for ocular surface anesthesia, according to a Harrow press release.

• Iheezo is the first ophthalmic formulation of chloroprocaine hydrochloride, an anesthetic previously approved in injectable formulations under the brand names Nesacaine/Nesacaine- MPF for local anesthesia and Clorotekal for spinal anesthesia.
• This surface anesthesia is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity to any component of the medication. The drug should not be injected or administered intraoculary.
• Iheezo is physician-administered topically to the ocular surface prior to the planned surgical procedure. It is rapidly acting (about 1 to 5 minutes) and the anesthetic effect lasts around 20 minutes.
• The most common adverse reaction is mydriasis.
• Given the early FDA approval date, the commercial launch date for Iheezo will be slightly ahead of the original planned launch of May 2023.