Aim: To compare the efficacy between two different silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (T-PRK).
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 89 patients (178 eyes) who underwent T-PRK at the Qingdao Eye Hospital from October to December 2019 were selected. One random eye wore a Senofilcon A bandage contact lens after surgery, and the other eye a Balafilcon A bandage contact lens. Pain scores, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), corneal epithelial healing status, epithelial thickness, bandage lenses deposits, lenses movement, and ocular surface conditions were measured and compared.
Results: There were no differences between the two groups in UCVA, SE, corneal epithelial healing status, corneal epithelial thickness, tear river heights and tear film rupture time at each follow-up visit. However, postoperative pain scores in the Senofilcon A group were significantly lower than those of the Balafilcon A group (F intergroups=67.833, P<0.001; F time=383.773, P<0.001; F interaction=57.344, P<0.001). The duration of pain in eyes in the Senofilcon A group was shorter than that of the Balafilcon A group (t=-3.326, P=0.001). The surface deposition scores and movement scores of Senofilcon A bandage lenses on the first and fourth days after surgery were lower than those of Balafilcon A bandage lenses (Z=-5.385, -6.782, P<0.001; Z=-8.336, -8.906, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Both Senofilcon A and Balafilcon A bandage lenses have good efficacy after T-PRK. Senofilcon A lenses are associated with less pain and more comfort compared to Balafilcon A.
Keywords: bandage contact lenses; clinical results; corneal epithelium; pain; transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.
International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.