Effect of Homatropine eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy: A pilot study

Abstract

PurposeTo assess the effect of homatropine eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). MethodsThis randomized, double masked, interventional study included 15 patients (30 eyes) who underwent bilateral PRK. After operation, patients received homatropine eye drops, 4 times daily in only one eye (homatropine eye). The level of pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), verbal rating scale (VRS) and pain rating index (PRI) at 0.5, 24 and 48h after operation. ResultsThe level of pain was statistically similar between the two eyes half an hour after operation, however, homatropine eyes had significantly less pain 24h after operation compared to fellow eyes (2.5±1.9 vs 5.3±2.5, P=0.004 for VAS, 2.0±1.2 vs 3.2±0.9, P=0.023 for VRS, and 9.4±5.7 vs 16.0±9.0, P=0.031 for PRI). Also, 48h after surgery, the pain scales were less in the homatropine eyes (2.3±1.7 vs 4.0±2.1, P=0.014 for VAS, 1.6±1.0 vs 2.5±1.0, P=0.038 for VRS, and 6.8±5.7 vs 12.0±8.9, P=0.005 for PRI). No delayed epithelial healing was observed. ConclusionHomatropine eye drops may be useful for reducing pain after Photorefractive keratectomy.