title: A double-blind randomized control study to determine the effect of Visthesia viscoelastic substance on pain following LASEK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of topical Visthesia drops and viscoelastic in reducing pain during the early postoperative period following laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective randomized double-blind study, LASEK was performed on both eyes of patients using the Technolas 217Z Laser (Bausch & Lomb). Visthesia was placed in one eye and placebo (Healon) in the fellow eye, following insertion of a bandage contact lens on completion of surgery. Pain experienced on the evening of surgery and the following morning were scored using a visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  18 patients of mean age 27.3 years were examined. Mean refractive spherical equivalent was not statistically different between both groups (p = 0.6). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.87) in pain was detected between both groups on the evening of surgery or the following morning (p = 0.12).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visthesia, applied topically on completion of LASEK, did not have a significant effect on pain during the early postoperative period compared with placebo.
authors.affiliation: Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Caitriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kirwan
authors.forename: Clodagh
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mulqueen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008012:Lidocaine