The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of lens removal time in reducing ocular discomfort, accelerating reepithelialization and improving vision after photorefractive keratectomy.
This is a single center, not blinded, randomized clinical study with control without placebo.
Patients referred to Farabi Eye Hospital for refractive surgery are enrolled in our trial after signing the informed consent. The participants are then divided randomly into two groups by block random sampling.
Our inclusion criteria are the general criteria for refractive surgeries and our exclusion criteria are any corneal or main systemic disease.
Based on previous studies (α=0.05, power=80%) estimated sample size is n=60.
For the experimental group bandage contact lens will be removed seven days after surgery and for the control group bandage contact lens will be removed after four days.
In both groups chloramphenicol, betamethasone and diclofenac are administered for the following weeks.
On the first day and the lens removal day, we will ask the participants to fill in a questionnaire about the eye discomfort. The questionnaire contains questions about onset of pain, time of maximal pain and the severity of eye discomfort felt in each period of time.
On lens removal day, patient will be examined for corneal epithelial defect.
On the first, third and sixth month after surgery, visual acuity and corneal haze will be checked.
We will also perform aberrometry on the sixth month.
We hypothesize better pain control, less ocular discomfort, faster visual recovery and less complication in the intervention group.