CONTROLLED EVALUATION OF A BANDAGE CONTACT-LENS AND A TOPICAL NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG IN TREATING TRAUMATIC CORNEAL ABRASIONS

Background: Treating traumatic corneal abrasions is a common problem f or the ophthalmologist. Traditional management has been the use of a p ressure patch. Three different therapeutic modalities were evaluated f or their efficacy in treating traumatic corneal abrasions. Methods: Fo rty-seven consecutive patients with traumatic corneal abrasions were r andomized prospectively in a single-masked, controlled clinical trial which compared the efficacy of (1) pressure patching, (2) a bandage co ntact lens, and (3) a bandage contact lens with a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (0.5% ketorolac tromethamine). Results: There was no significant difference in the healing time of the three groups. However, psychometric analysis showed a significant decrease in pain in the group that received a bandage-contact lens with a topical nonst eroidal anti-inflammatory drug. There was a significant difference in the ability to return to normal activities in both contact lens groups compared with the pressure-patch group. There was no significant diff erence among the three groups with respect to photophobia, redness, oc ular irritation, headache, or tearing. Conclusion: Use of a bandage co ntact lens significantly shortens the time required for a patient to r eturn to normal activities. Moreover, addition of a nonsteroidal antii nflammatory drug to a treatment regimen significantly decreases the pa in associated with traumatic corneal abrasions. Use of a bandage conta ct lens with a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory may prove to be an effective adjunct in treating traumatic corneal abrasions.