title: Ocular pain and discomfort after advanced surface ablation: an ignored complaint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laser vision correction is one of the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in ophthalmology. Generally, discomfort besides pain (photophobia, burning sensation, tearing, and foreign body sensation) after these procedures is not taken into consideration in the clinical practice. The objective is to provide data on these symptoms and their relevance after advanced surface ablation (ASA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center survey study based on a structured questionnaire relative to the patients' perceived symptoms after ASA. Inclusion criteria were: ≥18 years old, no ocular disease, with myopia (0.75 to 9 D) or hyperopia (0.25 to 5 D) with or without astigmatism, receiving ASA on at least one eye. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. A descriptive analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three consecutive patients (34 men and 39 women) were included in the study. The median (range) of age was 33 (19-64) years. Sixty-nine patients had surgery done on both eyes. Postoperative pain was the most frequent comorbidity (97% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 90-100]) with a median (range) of intensity (verbal numerical rating scale) score of 7 (2-10). Photophobia: 85% (95% CI: 75-92); burning sensation: 62% (95% CI: 50-73); tearing: 59% (95% CI: 47-70); and foreign body sensation: 48% (95% CI: 36-60) were also prevalent postoperative symptoms. Pain during ASA was reported for 44% (95% CI: 32-56) of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comorbidities such as pain, photophobia, burning sensation, tearing, and foreign body sensation are prevalent after ASA procedure. Postoperative pain should be taken into consideration due to its prevalence and intensity. A new and more efficient postoperative analgesic protocol should be established.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiologia Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sobas
authors.affiliation: Laboratorios Dr Esteve S.A., Barcelona, Spain ; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Videla
authors.affiliation: Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiologia Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiologia Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain ; Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pastor
keywords: pain; photophobia; refractive surgery; survey