Comparison of the efficacy of different topical non-steroidal drops as pain relief following PRK

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of topical indomethacin, and ketorolac as pain relief following excimer laser PRK. METHODS: Double masked, randomised trial involving 120 patients. All patients received a standard regime of one of the trial drugs and chloramphenicol ointment to be used four times daily for two days. Pain levels and quality were assessed on a 10 cm linear analogue scale prior to each instillation of the topical medication, and the McGill pain questionnaire. Pain threshold was evaluated using a modified State Anxiety Questionnaire. Patients were advised to use paracetamol as additional pain relief but were allowed to use any oral analgesia (except non-steroidal agents) which they documented (type and quantity) RESULTS: There was no significant difference in pain scores between the groups using indomethacin and ketorolac. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there is no significant difference between topical ketorolac and diclofenac as pain relief following excimer laser PRK. Both of these drugs seemed to significantly reduce pain.