Factors Affecting Pain Following Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia and Astigmatism

Authors : Süleyman Gökhan Kerci, Berna Sahan
Pages : 368-373
Doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1703471
View : 37 | Download : 75
Publication Date : 2025-09-15
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Purpose: In this study, to clarify predictive factors related to postoperative pain following T-PRK. Material and Methods: Detailed medical history was taken and ophthalmological examinations were done in all patients undergoing T-PRK. Presence of pain in the preoperative era, size of ablation during T-PRK procedure, postoperative complaints and Visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded on the postoperative 1st day. During evaluation of postoperative complaints, patients were asked to give a score between 1 and 10 regarding complaint severity. Patients with VAS score <5 on 1st post operative day were classified as Group 1, and patients with VAS score ≥5 on 1st post operative day were categorized as Group 2. Groups were compared with regards to patient demographic features, preoperative ocular measurements, size of ablation during surgery, postoperative complaints, and VAS scores on 1st postoperative day. Results: During the study period, 64 patients who underwent T-PRK were enrolled in the study, and 24 patients had VAS score ≥5. Mean VAS score was 2.1 in Group 1 and 7.0 in Group 2, which was significantly higher for Group 2 (p= 0.001) Being under the age of 30 was a predictive factor for higher postoperative pain(p= 0.020). In addition, larger ablation depth, presence of foreign body sensation, and eyelid swelling increased postoperative pain 2.182 times, 2.667 times and 2.812 times, respectively(p= 0.032, p= 0.004, and p= 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that almost two out of five individuals who underwent T-PRK suffered from severe pain following the procedure. Our findings demonstrated that younger age below 30 years, larger ablation depth, and symptoms including foreign body sensation and eyelid swelling were predictive factors for severe postoperative pain following the T-PRK procedure.
Keywords : astigmatizma, miyopi, ağrı, T-PRK

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