Effects of lotrafilcon A and omafilcon A bandage contact lenses on visual outcomes after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose

To evaluate postoperative healing between bandage contact lenses with high and low oxygen permeability in patients having photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting

Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.

Methods

This retrospective study compared patients receiving a high-oxygen-transmission bandage contact lens (Focus Night & Day [N&D], Ciba Vision; n = 92) and those receiving a low-oxygen-transmission lens (Proclear, Cooper Vision; n = 114) after PRK. Visual outcomes, safety, and efficacy were assessed postoperatively at 1, 4, and 7 days and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

Overall pain scores were higher in the Proclear group at 1 day (P = .000) and 4 days (P = .027). The N&D group had an increase in corneal infiltrates at 4 days (P = .025) and 1 week (P = .017). At 1 month, 40.4% of patients in the Proclear group and 18.6% in the N&D group had a 1 or more line decrease in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) (P = .002). Although there was a trend toward a higher haze rate in the Proclear group, it was not statistically significant (P = .064). There was no statistically significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity, goal of emmetropia, contrast sensitivity, or reepithelialization.

Conclusions

The N&D lens produced less pain and better postoperative results in terms of haze and BSCVA at 1 month. However, it led to a higher incidence of corneal infiltrates. There was no difference between the lenses in the end result at 12 months.