What common eye drop type may be administered before ocular ultrasound?

Anesthetic drops are commonly used before performing ocular ultrasound to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. These drops temporarily numb the cornea and conjunctiva, allowing for a painless experience while the ultrasound is being performed. This is particularly important as the ultrasound probe may come into contact with the eye, and any discomfort could lead to movement, compromising the quality of the imaging.

While antibiotic drops, vasoconstrictor drops, and antihistamine drops have their own specific uses in ophthalmology, they do not directly assist with patient comfort or facilitate a smoother ultrasound procedure in the way that anesthetic drops do. Antibiotic drops are generally used to treat or prevent infections, vasoconstrictors may reduce redness and swelling, and antihistamines are often prescribed for allergic reactions. However, none of these have the primary purpose of numbing the eye for a diagnostic procedure like anesthetic drops do.