Bandage contact lens exchange on PRK postoperative day one: the effect on pain and reepithelialization

Session Details

Session Title: Advanced Surface Photoablation

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 10/10/2017 | 09:00-10:20

Paper Time: 09:30

Venue: Room 4.1

First Author: : F.Stojanovic NORWAY

Co Author(s): :    X. Chen   A. Stojanovic   T. Paaske Utheim              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the postoperative pain, re-epithelialization speed, as well as visual and refractive recovery after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopic astigmatism, using a modified protocol with bandage contact lens (BCL) exchange on postoperative day one.

Setting:

Prospective comparative contralateral case series study performed at SynsLaser Clinic, Oslo, Norway.

Methods:

Twenty-one candidates for bilateral transepithelial PRK (age: 28.9±4.8 years; range, 19 to 37) were recruited for the study. BCL was applied to both corneas right after surgery. One of the two eyes was randomly chosen to have its original BCL exchanged with a “fresh” one on postoperative day one (group 1), while the other eye kept the original BCL on until re-epithelialization was completed (group 2). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and subjective evaluation of pain were recorded during the first postoperative week. Corrected visual acuity (CDVA) and manifest refraction were measured preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively.

Results:

The preoperative spherical equivalent (-2.93±1.61vs. -2.76±1.60 D, p=0.096), ablation depth (59.2±27.0 vs. 56.7±28.2 µm, p=0.276), and treatment zone size (8.4±0.3 vs.8.4±0.3 mm, p=0.329) were comparable between the groups. Group 1 reported lower subjective pain score (0.86±0.59 vs.1.21±0.72, p=0.006) and better UDVA (0.21±0.20 vs.0.36±0.26 LogMAR, p=0.013) at postoperative day two as well as on week one, while no other statistically significant difference was detected after surgery. Thirteen (62.9%) patients answered positively and five (23.8%) answered negatively when asked if they would have their BCL exchanged if they could choose again.

Conclusions:

Bandage contact lens exchange at postoperative day one seems to reduce discomfort on postoperative day one, whereas the re-epithelialization speed and visual recovery were not affected.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE