Patients prefer insert over topical drops for symptom control after LASIK

Patients undergoing elective bilateral femtosecond LASIK prefer a dexamethasone insert to topical prednisolone acetate after surgery to manage ocular symptoms, according to a study in Clinical Ophthalmology.

According to the study, patients using the insert reported comparable ocular comfort, corneal staining, and visual acuity outcomes to topical prednisolone.

In this randomized clinical trial, 20 patients undergoing bilateral LASIK were randomized to receive the dexamethasone insert in one eye and topical prednisolone acetate 1% four times daily for 1 week and 2 times daily for a second week in the alternate eye.

After 1 month, 80% of patients preferred the insert, with 10% each preferring prednisolone acetate or having no preference. Ocular comfort and discomfort related to dry eye symptoms, patient-reported ocular dryness, and the corneal staining scores, was similar for each eye.

The authors concluded that “The insert is an appropriate means of postoperative symptom control in this quality of life-conscious population.”

Reference
Greenwood MD, Gorham RA, Boever KR. A randomized fellow-eye clinical trial to evaluate patient preference for dexamethasone intracanalicular insert or topical prednisolone acetate for control of postoperative symptoms following bilateral femtosecond laser in site keratomileusis (LASIK). Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:2223-2228. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S265311