BENOXINATE HCL (OXYBUPROCAINE HCL) IS A PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID ESTER, IS A LOCAL ANESTHETIC, ACT BY PREVENTING THE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION OF IMPULSES ALONG NERVE FIBRES AND AS NERVE ENDINGS; DEPOLARISATION AND ION-EXCHANGE ARE INHIBITED. THE EFFECTS ARE REVERSIBLE. IT IS USED FOR SURFACE ANAESTHESIA AND IS REPORTED TO BE LESS IRRITANT THAN AMETHOCAINE WHEN APPLIED TO THE CONJUNCTIVA IN THERAPEUTIC CONCENTRATIONS.