Frozen irrigation solution may alleviate post epi-LASIK pain

SAN FRANCISCO — A topical, frozen balanced salt solution may reduce pain associated with surface ablation procedures, according to a study presented here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

Bruce C. Larson, MD, assessed the effectiveness of a preoperative treatment with frozen balanced salt solution as a means of alleviating the pain experienced within 24 hours after epi-LASIK.

The study looked at a series of 39 consecutive epi-LASIK procedures. The control group consisted of an initial series of 18 eyes that received standard epi-LASIK. A second consecutive series of 21 eyes were administered 50 drops of frozen balanced salt solution applied directly to the cornea before undergoing epi-LASIK. At day 1 postop, all patients were asked to rate their level of pain on a scale of 0 to 10, and the two groups were compared for the level of postoperative pain control.

For those who had been given the drops preop, the average pain score on a per-eye basis within the first 24 hours was 1.4 on a scale of 0 to 10.

Of the 18 eyes (11 patients) that had not been treated with the frozen solution, the average pain score reported within the first 24 hours was 4.

“The results were pretty dramatic,” Dr. Larson said. “This has largely eliminated one of the barriers to surface ablation — pain.”