title: Randomized double-masked controlled trial comparing pain scores with and without the use of supplementary 2% lidocaine gel in LASIK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare pain scores with and without supplementary topical 2% lidocaine gel in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) under topical anesthesia using 0.5% proparacaine eye drops.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized double-masked placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one Chinese subjects (102 eyes, with 51 eyes in each arm) were included. One eye was randomly allocated to have supplementary 2% lidocaine gel while the other eye received carbomer gel as control, in addition to topical 0.5% proparacaine. The pain scores for each eye during microkeratome flap creation, during laser ablation, and at 15, 30, and 45 minutes after LASIK were assessed. An overall pain score of the LASIK procedure was also obtained. Primary outcome measures were pain scores during and after LASIK. Secondary outcomes included need for additional topical anesthesia, patient cooperation score, and duration and complications of surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 2% lidocaine gel-treated group, the pain scores were significantly lower during microkeratome flap creation and laser ablation, and postoperatively at 30 and 45 minutes (P<.05 for all). Patients in the lidocaine gel group required less additional topical anesthesia (P=.0004) and were more cooperative (P=.019) as compared to the carbomer gel group. No surgical or postoperative complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of supplementary 2% lidocaine gel in LASIK is effective in lowering the pain experienced during and up to 45 minutes after LASIK.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, The People's Republic of China. dennislam_pub@cuhk.edu.hk
authors: Dennis S C
authors: DS
authors: Lam
authors: Ricky W K
authors: RW
authors: Law
authors: Anita S Y
authors: AS
authors: Ng
authors: Philip T H
authors: PT
authors: Lam
authors: Vishal
authors: V
authors: Jhanji
authors: Vincent Y W
authors: VY
authors: Lee
authors: Alex H
authors: AH
authors: Fan
authors: Srinivas K
authors: SK
authors: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D058447:Eye Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011430:Propoxycaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels; D008012:Lidocaine; C005717:proxymetacaine; D011430:Propoxycaine