A double-blind randomized control study to determine the effect of Visthesia viscoelastic substance on pain following LASEK.
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.
Kirwan
Caitriona
C
Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Mulqueen
Clodagh
C
O'Keefe
Michael
M
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
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008012:Lidocaine