Pharmacotherapy of photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the pharmacotherapeutic practices of high-volume photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgeons with suggested practices gleaned from the current literature. SETTING: York Finch Eye Associates, Toronto, Canada. METHODS: Seventy-five ophthalmic surgeons believed by the authors to do a high-volume of PRKs were surveyed over the summer of 1994 about their pharmacotherapeutic practices. The results were compared with suggested practices extracted from a review of the current literature. RESULTS: Relatively consistent approaches to the management of post-PRK pain and prevention of acute post-PRK subepithelial infiltrative keratitis were reported. The administration of topical steroids after PRK was almost universally employed. Post-PRK analgesia was most commonly achieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a soft contact lens, but surgeons were not convinced of the benefits of long-term NSAID administration to control myopic regression and haze. There seemed to be no agreed-on solution to the infrequent problems of severe haze and regression and steroid-induced elevated intraocular pressure after PRK; however, many useful suggestions for the management of these problems were proposed. CONCLUSION: In general, high-volume PRK surgeons use topical steroids, NSAIDs, and a soft contact lens in the immediate postoperative period, although they are uncertain about the long-term effectiveness of NSAIDs in controlling regression and haze.