Work

Effect of chilled eye drops on postoperative pain sensation after phototherapeutic keratectomy: Randomised controlled clinical trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: PURPOSE: To analyse pain sensation after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) using chilled eye drops or drops at room temperature during the early postoperative period. METHODS: Our randomised controlled, parallel-group study conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt (Main), Germany, with blinded participants and outcome assessors included patients undergoing PTK. Postoperatively, eye drops in one group were chilled and in the other group at room temperature (warm). Patients completed pain questionnaires six times on the first 3 postoperative days. Pain intensity was primarily assessed by means of the numerical rating scale (NRS) at 8 a.m. on Day 1. Secondary outcomes included pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS), sensory qualities of pain, overall pain intensity, epiphora, foreign body sensation and additional need for analgesics. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were analysed in the chilled group and 49 in the warm group. Median NRS and VAS on Day 1 were 2 (range: 0-8) and 13 (0-76) in the chilled group and 1 (0-8) and 4 (0-79) in the warm group, respectively (p = 0.11 and 0.10). On Day 2, values were 2 (0-7) and 14 (0-52) in the chilled group and 2 (0-10) and 19 (0-99) in the warm group (p = 0.34 and 0.82). There was no significant difference in secondary outcomes. Additional painkillers on Day 1 were required by 29% and 18%, respectively (p = 0.23). CONCLUSION: Using chilled eye drops following PTK does not reduce pain compared with eye drops at room temperature in the early postoperative period.

Source: Acta Ophthalmologica

DOI: 10.1111/aos.70033