NATIONAL SURVEY OF CORNEAL ABRASION TREATMENT

Purpose To survey the different methods used in the management of conc eal abrasions (including iatrogenic cases) nationally. Methods A quest ionnaire survey of all 162 ophthalmic units in the UK was carried out in 1997. Results The response rate was 134 of 162 (83%). The majority of units do not have an established policy for the treatment of cornea l abrasions. Topical antibiotic alone and antibiotic together with a c ycloplegic are the commonest immediate treatments, whilst the most com mon treatment course is topical antibiotic. Padding and patient follow -up is practised some of the time by most units and all of the time by the remaining minority. Use of a soft bandage contact lens is uncommo n. There is no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between t he policy-holders and non-policy-holders in their use of the various t opical regimes, padding and soft bandage contact lens. Conclusion The traditional trio of topical antibiotic, cycloplegic and padding is sti ll the mainstay of corneal abrasion treatment amongst units nation-wid e. However, there is a lack of reproducible scientific evidence to sup port this treatment. Larger randomised trials looking at the efficacy of the different treatment options are needed.