Effects of Lotrafilcon A and Senofilcon A Bandage Contact Lenses on Visual Outcome and Ocular Comfort after Photorefractive Keratectomy (Effects of Two Different Bandage Contact Lens Following PRK)

Abstract Purpose To compare the efficacy of two different silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in terms of visual rehabilitation and ocular discomfort following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods This prospective study included 60 eyes of 30 patients who underwent bilateral PRK surgery to correct myopia and/or astigmatism refractive errors. Following surgery, Lotrafilcon A contact lenses were applied to the right eye and Senofilcon A material contact lenses were applied to the left eye. On postoperative day 5, when the BCLs were removed, subjective ocular symptoms of discomfort were evaluated on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 indicated no discomfort and 10 indicated maximum discomfort. The postoperative spherical equivalents (SE) of both eyes were compared on 15th day and 1st month. Postoperative SE ≤ ± 0.50 diopters were accepted as emmetropia. The number of patients who achieved emmetropia was also compared on the 15th day and the 1st month postoperatively. Results The ocular discomfort scores did not differ significantly between the BCLs on postoperative 5-day time period (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two lenses in terms of their SE values on the postoperative 15th day and 1st month (p < 0.05). The eyes fitted with Senofilcon A material lenses demonstrated better postoperative visual rehabilitation. Conclusion Although the ocular discomfort scores following PRK between the two BCLs did not differ significantly, the Senofilcon A lenses performed better performance on the goal of SE postoperatively.