A pilot study for the pharmacological modification of pain and epithelial healing after reverse single-step transepithelial all surface laser ablation (ASLA)

Session Details

Session Title: Surface Photoablation

Session Date/Time: Sunday 06/09/2015 | 16:30-18:00

Paper Time: 17:42

Venue: Room 10

First Author: : P.Georgoudis GREECE

Co Author(s): :    I. Aslanides                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

We report our experience with the use of matrix regenerating agent RGTA Cacicol (R) after reverse transepithelial all-sureface laser ablation (ASLA) to assess the safety, efficacy, pain and epithelial healing.

Setting:

Emmetropia Mediterranean Eye Institute, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Methods:

Forty eyes of twenty myopic patients were prospectively recruited to a randomized fellow eye study. Patients underwent transepithelial ASLA-Schwind in both eyes with one of the eyes randomly assigned to the use of matrix regenerating agent (RGTA) CACICOL (Thea, France). Postoperative pain and vision were subjectively assessed with the use of a questionnaire on the operative day, at 24 hours, at 48 hours and at 72 hours. Epithelial defect area size was measured at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. UDVA and CDVA were assessed at one month.

Results:

Mean UDVA at 1 month was LogMAR 0.028. The epithelial defect area was 10.91 mm2 and 13.28 mm2 respectively at 24 hours and 1.39 mm2 and 1.24 mm2 at 48 hours for treated and non-treated eyes respectively. 50% and 65% of treated and non treated eyes have healed by 48 hours. There was no statistically significant difference in the subjective vision between the groups although patients in the RGTA group were reported to be better. Pain scores were better at 24 hours and 48 hours in the RGTA group with no statistically significant difference.

Conclusions:

The use of RGTA CACICOL shows faster epithelial recovery after transepithelial ASLA-Schwind for myopia. Subjectively reported scores of pain and subjective vision are better in the RGTA group although the difference is not statistically significant. There seems to be a consensual acceleration of epithelial healing even in eyes that did not received treatment. There were no adverse event, and no incidences of inflammation, delayed healing or haze.

Financial Interest:

NONE