Effects of Lotrafilcon A and Senofilcon A Bandage Contact Lenses on Visual Outcome and Ocular Comfort After Photorefractive Keratectomy.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of two different silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in terms of visual rehabilitation and ocular discomfort following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 60 eyes of 30 patients who underwent bilateral PRK surgery to correct myopia and/or astigmatism refractive errors. Following surgery, lotrafilcon A BCLs were applied to the right eye and senofilcon A BCLs were applied to the left eye. When the BCLs were removed on postoperative day 5, subjective ocular symptoms of discomfort were evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicated no discomfort and 10 indicated maximum discomfort. The postoperative spherical equivalents (SE) of both eyes were compared at 15 days and 1 month. Postoperative SE ≤ ±0.50 diopters was accepted as emmetropia. The number of patients who achieved emmetropia was also compared at 15 days and 1 month postoperatively.

RESULTS

Scores for ocular discomfort in the first 5 days postoperatively did not differ significantly between the BCLs (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two lenses in terms of SE values at postoperative 15 days and 1 month (p<0.05). Eyes fitted with the senofilcon A BCL demonstrated better postoperative visual rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Although post-PRK ocular discomfort scores did not differ significantly between the two BCLs, the senofilcon A lenses performed better in terms of achieving the target SE postoperatively.