EFFECT OF 0.09% TOPICAL BROMFENAC IN MANAGING DISCOMFORT FOLLOWING PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY

To investigate the adjunct effect of 0.09% bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution for prevention of postoperative pain following PRK.

LaserVision Ambulatory Eye Surgery Unit, Athens, Greece

A randomized prospective analysis of 255 cases that underwent PRK was performed. All eyes received a bandage contact lens and topical moxifloxacin up to re-epitheliazation, dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% chloramphenicol 0.5% over 4 weeks. Group A used additionally, Bromfenac 0.09%  soaking of the bandage contact and additionally twice a day for 3days. Group B (control group) used the Dexamethasone/Chloramphenicol plus the moxifloxacine alone. Visual Acuity, day of complete re-epitheliazation and subjective pain score from 0 to 4 (4 beeing the worst) as well as the need for adjunctpain meds such as Lonarid and or Paracetamole IM injection the first postoperative night were evaluated

Mean age was 28 years (18-46). The bromfenac group (121 cases) showed better pain management compared to the control group (134 cases) : mean score 1.5 to 3.2, 96 cases from group B required at least one dose of Lonarid and 75 an IM injection of paracetamole-none from group A. mean epitheliazation day was 3.5 vs. 3.6 and was not statistical significant between the 2 groups

Adjunct treatment with 0.09% bromfenac ophthalmic solution showed good efficacy for preventingearly postoperative pain following PRK. . It maybe considered as primary adjunct treatment to corticosteroids, as it improves dramatically patient comfort and adaptability to the procedure.