title: Current trends in pain management after photorefractive and phototherapeutic keratectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the introduction of photoablative procedures, postoperative pain management has been a major challenge for both the patient and the surgeon. Over the years, significant advances have been made in our ability to overcome this challenge. The purpose of this article is to discuss the most current strategies for pain control after photorefractive keratectomy and phototherapeutic keratectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methods for pain control can be targeted locally or systemically and can be pharmacological or nonpharmalogical. Options include anesthetics, NSAIDs, opiates, and anticonvulsants, as well as bandage contact lenses and corneal cooling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Literature and experience provide insight on the efficacy and safety of the many options for post-photorefractive keratectomy pain control. Generally, refractive surgeons are using a combination approach to achieve pain control with excellent results.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: Viral
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Juthani
mesh_terms: D058447:Eye Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000639:trends*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*