The effect of trehalose 3% as adjuvant therapy on Lasik procedure

Abstract

PurposeThe majority of all Lasik patients experience dry eye. Usually temporary it also could last for months or years. Patients with no or mild dry eye symptoms but high risk factors have better post‐LASIK outcomes when being preoperatively treated with lubricants. Surgical outcome of patients, with neither symptoms nor risk factors of having dry eye, could be maximized by optimizing the ocular surface before surgery. This study evaluated the effect of trehalose 3% eye drops (Thealoz), pre and post‐surgery use, on the postoperative ocular surface status of the patient.MethodsClinical study including 26 eyes from 13 patients, mean age of 35, having no dry eye signs or symptoms, who were scheduled for a LASIK procedure. Patients were randomly assigned to use trehalose 3% 48 h before surgery (G1; 1 drop tid) or no treatment (G2). After LASIK surgery, G1 used trehalose 3% 1 drop q4 h in association with artificial tears (hyaluronic acid ‐HA‐ 1 drop q4 h) and G2 used only artificial tears (1 drop q4 h) for 90 days, as corneal hydrating treatment.ResultsOSDI score obtained during follow‐up period showed a positive evolution in G1 compared to G2 (no statistical significance). Frequency and severity of the symptoms from first day after surgery were significantly lower in G1 (p < 0.05). Other clinical test (osmolarity, TBUT, lissamine staining) also showed positive evolution in G1 but it was not observed statistical differences between treatments. Corneal staining (NIE and Oxford scales) showed lower scores in G1. Results were statistically significant at D30 and at D90 (NIE scale) and at D90 for Oxford scale.ConclusionsAddition of trehalose to the standard treatment using HA eye drops after LASIK surgery at pre and post‐surgery period, it has been revealed as a positive therapeutic strategy to control and reduce dry eye symptoms and corneal staining score.