Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Demonstrates Long-term Reduction of Ocular Pain

Use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can significantly reduce subjective pain intensity, according to a poster presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) virtual annual meeting.

Ten patients using a TENS device for at least 3 months reported using the device 14 times per week initially before reducing frequency to an average of 6 times per week. Subjective pain reduction after using the device was reported in 90% of patients. After treatment, pain intensity decreased by approximately 27% (P = 0.013) compared to prior to treatment.

No adverse events were reported.

The authors concluded that TENS can be “integrated into long-term management of ocular pain.”

Reference

Staropoli PC, et al. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the long term treatment of ocular pain.  Poster presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Virtual Annual Meeting. May 16-17, 2020.