A double-blind randomized control study to determine the effect of Visthesia viscoelastic substance on pain following LASEK

Abstract

Aim: To determine the efficacy of topical Visthesia drops and viscoelastic in reducing pain during the early postoperative period following laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK).

Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study, LASEK was performed on both eyes of patients using the Technolas 217Z Laser (Bausch & Lomb). Visthesia was placed in one eye and placebo (Healon) in the fellow eye, following insertion of a bandage contact lens on completion of surgery. Pain experienced on the evening of surgery and the following morning were scored using a visual analogue scale.

Results: 18 patients of mean age 27.3 years were examined. Mean refractive spherical equivalent was not statistically different between both groups (p = 0.6). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.87) in pain was detected between both groups on the evening of surgery or the following morning (p = 0.12).

Conclusion: Visthesia, applied topically on completion of LASEK, did not have a significant effect on pain during the early postoperative period compared with placebo.