Comparison of efficacy of two different silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after T-PRK

AIM:To compare the efficacy between two different silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(T-PRK).METHODS:In this randomized controlled trial,a total of 89 patients(178 eyes) who underwent T-PRK at the Qingdao Eye Hospital from October to December 2019 were selected.One random eye wore a Senofilcon A bandage contact lens after surgery,and the other eye a Balafilcon A bandage contact lens.Pain scores,uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),spherical equivalent(SE),corneal epithelial healing status,epithelial thickness,bandage lenses deposits,lenses movement,and ocular surface conditions were measured and compared.RESULTS:There were no differences between the two groups in UCVA,SE,corneal epithelial healing status,corneal epithelial thickness,tear river heights and tear film rupture time at each follow-up visit.However,postoperative pain scores in the Senofilcon A group were significantly lower than those of the Balafilcon A group(F_(intergroups)=67.833,P<0.001;F_(time)=383.773,P<0.001;F_(interaction)=57.344,P<0.001).The duration of pain in eyes in the Senofilcon A group was shorter than that of the Balafilcon A group(t=-3.326,P=0.001).The surface deposition scores and movement scores of Senofilcon A bandage lenses on the first and fourth days after surgery were lower than those of Balafilcon A bandage lenses(Z=-5.385,-6.782,P<0.001;Z=-8.336,-8.906,P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Both Senofilcon A and Balafilcon A bandage lenses have good efficacy after T-PRK.Senofilcon A lenses are associated with less pain and more comfort compared to Balafilcon A.