Bandage contact lens use after photorefractive keratectomy

Abstract

The use of a bandage contact lens (BCL) immediately after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) results in less pain. This review analyzed which BCL is most effective in decreasing pain immediately after PRK and evaluated the reepithelialization process in the treated zone. Two databases, PubMed and Medline, were checked for articles published from January 2005 to May 2018. The keywords were photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, contact lens, and bandage contact lens. The review comprised 13 studies; these studies enrolled 842 patients who had PRK. All studies compared the early postoperative results for two types of BCL material (senofilcon A and lotrafilcon A). Of the materials, the pain scores were lowest with a senofilcon A. The size of the defect in the epithelialized area 1 day after surgery decreased fastest with lotrafilcon A.