Assessment of subjective pain following photorefractive keratectomy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although researchers have reported that postoperative pain in patients undergoing excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery is common in the first 24 hours after excimer surgery, factors associated with increased postoperative pain have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to prospectively document self, reported pain following excimer laser surgery and explore associated factors. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery to correct myopia and/or myopic astigmatism were asked to prospectively grade, on a four-point scale, the amount of pain they were experiencing immediately after treatment and again..