Dr. Gairik Kundu

DR. SAILIE SHIRODKAR, Dr. ROHIT SHETTY, Dr. POOJA KHAMAR

Abstract

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and manual crosslinking (CXL), despite being popular treatments, are limited by post-operative pain. In our study, patients with refractive error advised PRK and keratoconus patients advised CXL were divided into 4 groups: Conventional (bandage contact lenses – BCL at room temperature – RT), Conventional+KT (BCL with 0.4% ketorolac tromethamine – KT at RT), Cold+KT (BCL with 0.4% KT kept at 4⁰C in a refrigerator) and Cold (kept at 4⁰C). Pain was assessed by Wong-Baker scale. Nociception & wound healing-related factors were studied in the tear fluid and BCLs. Our results demonstrated significantly low pain scores in the Cold+KT & Cold groups compared to Conventional in PRK patients. Cold & Cold+KT groups also showed significantly low scores compared to both Conventional & Conventional+KT in CXL patients. This practical & economical approach promises to be effective in controlling pain and increase patient comfort with no delay in epithelial healing.