Preservative-free Topical Anesthetics for Post-PRK Pain
Egypt70 participantsStarted 2023-01-30
Plain-language summary
The goal of this interventional comparative study is to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel regimen of preservative-free unit-dose topical anesthetics for controlling early postoperative pain following single-step transepithelial PRK surgery.
The main research questions to answer are:
* Question 1: Are topical anesthetics effective in reducing post-PRK pain?
* Question 2: Are short-term topical anesthetics toxic to the cornea?
* Question 3: How to prevent abuse of topical anesthetics by patients at home?
Participants were planned to undergo a bilateral single-step transepithelial PRK surgery to correct their refractive errors and received a standard post-PRK treatment regimen for both eyes. Additionally, one eye was offered a preservative-free topical anesthetic as an experimental group and the other eye was offered a preservative-free artificial tear as a control group.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Myopia up to - 6 diopters or myopic astigmatism up to - 4 diopters.
. Corneal thinnest pachymetry of 500 µm
. Residual stromal bed more than 350 µm after epithelial ablation.
Exclusion criteria
. Corneal scars or dry eye disease,
. Past ocular surgery,
. History of contact lens wear,
. Systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases,
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Postoperative pain score on the verbal rating scale (VRS)
Timeframe: 1 week
2
Postoperative pain score on the visual analogue scale (VAS)