Effect of cycloplegic eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and corneal collagen cross-linking

Session Details

Session Title: Corneal Refractive Surgery

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 17/09/2019 | 14:00-16:00

Paper Time: 15:21

Venue: Free Paper Forum: Podium 3

First Author: : H.Elbedewy EGYPT

Co Author(s): :    M. Sabry                             

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of topical cycloplegic eye drops on relieving pain after PRK and corneal collagen cross-linking.

Setting:

The study was carried out in Tanta university hospitals, Egypt.

Methods:

Double blind randomized controlled study included 30 patients who were candidates for bilateral PRK or CXL surgery. Corneal epithelium was removed by a spatula or eximer laser with placement of a plano-bandage contact lens at the end. Post operative medications were topical predinisoline, moxifloxacin and tear substitute each 4 times/day for both eyes. In each patient, one eye had the cycloplegic drops and the other eye had a placebo drops. All patients were asked to complete a visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS) and Mac-Gill pain questionnaire (PRI) preoperatively and at each time of postoperative follow up.

Results:

VAS, VRS and PRI mean scores at the first postoperative hour did not show any significant difference between cycloplegic and controls eyes (p 0.50). However, the cycloplegic eyes had significantly lower mean VAS, VRS and PRI scores at 24h and 48h postoperatively (p<0.001 and 0.01). In the first postop day, 13.3% of the control eyes had mild, 66.7% moderate and 20% had severe pain, while 30.0% of the cyslopelgic eyes had mild and 70% had moderate pain (0% severe). All cycloplegic eyes had photophobia and blurring during the 3 postoperative days,which rapidly improved after cessation of the cycloplegic drops.

Conclusions:

Cyclopegic eye drops (cyclopentolate) are effective in reducing pain and discomfort after removal of the corneal epithelium in PRK and corneal cross linking with tolerable side effects which rapidly improves after cessation of the drops.

Financial Disclosure:

None