title: Treatment of traumatic corneal abrasions: a three-arm, prospective, randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare three different treatment modalities for traumatic corneal abrasions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, randomized, masked, three-arm clinical study of patients presenting with superficial corneal foreign bodies. Treatment modalities were: (1) pressure patching with ofloxacin ointment (patch group, PG, n = 18), (2) therapeutic contact lens with ofloxacin eye drops (contact lens group, CLG, n = 20) and (3) ofloxacin ointment alone (ointment group, OG, n = 28). Primary outcome measure was the difference of the mean corneal abrasion area between the three groups at 3 different time points (baseline, day 1 and day 7).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 66 patients were included in the study over a period of 2 years. Mean initial corneal abrasion area was 3.6 ± 3.4 mm² in the PG, 4.2 ± 4.0 mm² in the CLG and 3.7 ± 3.1 mm² in the OG (p = 0.875). Differences in corneal abrasion area at any time point were not statistically significant (abrasion area decrease from presentation to day 1 was 3.4 ± 3.3 mm² in the PG, 4.1 ± 4.0 mm² in the CLG and 3.5 ± 3.1 mm² in the OG, p = 0.789). The epithelium was healed in all patients at day 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treating traumatic corneal abrasions by pressure patching, a bandage contact lens or ointment alone was equal in reducing the abrasion area or reducing pain. According to our results the treatment of choice for traumatic abrasions may be adapted to the needs and preferences of the patient.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. moreno@menghini.biz
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Menghini
authors: P B
authors: PB
authors: Knecht
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kaufmann
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kovacs
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Watson
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Landau
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Bosch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003261:Contact Lenses; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009824:Ointments; D015242:Ofloxacin