Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Oct 24;44(1):409.
doi: 10.1007/s10792-024-03300-9.

Efficacy of gabapentin and pregabalin for treatment of post refractive surgery pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kai-Yang Chen  1 , Hoi-Chun Chan  2 , Li-Yun Wei  3 , Chi-Ming Chan  4   5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of gabapentin and pregabalin for treatment of post refractive surgery pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kai-Yang Chen et al. Int Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Introduction: For ophthalmic patients, eye discomfort is a major problem that requires efficient pain treatment techniques. Pregabalin and gabapentin have surfaced as viable treatments for post-refractive surgery pain. To manage pain after refractive surgery, gabapentin and pregabalin were evaluated in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methodology: A thorough search of databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL was performed until March 2024. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials assessing pregabalin and/or gabapentin's effectiveness in treating pain post-PRK, LASIK, and LASEK surgeries.

Results: Six studies met inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 391 patients undergoing various corneal surgeries. The meta-analysis revealed that pregabalin was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing pain on the first and second postoperative days (SMD day 1: -0.32, 95% CI -0.54, -0.09; SMD day 2: -0.55, 95% CI -0.85, -0.25), while gabapentin showed significant pain reduction on the second day only (SMD day 2: -0.42, 95% CI -0.71, -0.13). Combined analysis for both medications showed significant pain reduction on the first- and second-days post-surgery. No significant increase in adverse events was associated with either medication. Publication bias was minimal except for a slight asymmetry noted on day 1 effectiveness.

Conclusion: Pregabalin and gabapentin are effective in reducing postoperative pain following refractive surgeries, with pregabalin showing a greater effect. Both medications are safe, with no significant increase in adverse events. Further research with standardized methodologies and long-term follow-up is recommended to optimize postoperative pain management in ocular surgeries.

Keywords: Gabapentin; Laser epithelial keratomileusis; Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis; Meta-analysis; Pain control; Photo refractive keratectomy; Post refractive surgery; Pregabalin; Systematic review.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Pflipsen M, Massaquoi M, Wolf S (2016) Evaluation of the painful eye. Am Fam Physician 93(12):991–998 - PubMed
    1. Galor A, Levitt RC, Felix ER, Martin ER, Sarantopoulos CD (2015) Neuropathic ocular pain: an important yet underevaluated feature of dry eye. Eye 29(3):301–312. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2014.263 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Borsook D, Kussman BD, George E, Becerra LR, Burke DW (2013) Surgically induced neuropathic pain: understanding the perioperative process. Ann Surg 257(3):403–412. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182701a7b - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ellis A, Bennett DLH (2013) Neuroinflammation and the generation of neuropathic pain. Br J Anaesth 111(1):26–37. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aet128 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mitsikostas DD, Moka E, Orrillo E et al (2022) Neuropathic pain in neurologic disorders: a narrative review. Cureus 14(2):e22419. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22419 - DOI - PubMed - PMC

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources