Effect of homatropine eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy: a pilot study

To assess the effect of homatropine eye drops on pain after photorefractive keratectomy [PRK]. This randomized, double masked, interventional study included 15 patients [30 eyes] who underwent bilateral PRK. After operation, patients received homatropine eye drops, 4 times daily in only one eye [homatropine eye]. The level of pain was evaluated using visual analogue scale [VAS], verbal rating scale [VRS] and pain rating index [PRI] at 0.5, 24 and 48 h after operation. The level of pain was statistically similar between the two eyes half an hour after operation, however, homatropine eyes had significantly less pain 24 h after operation compared to fellow eyes [2.5 +/- 1.9 vs 5.3 +/- 2.5, P = 0.004 for VAS, 2.0 +/- 1.2 vs 3.2 +/- 0.9, P = 0.023 for VRS, and 9.4 +/- 5.7 vs 16.0 +/- 9.0, P = 0.031 for PRI]. Also, 48 h after surgery, the pain scales were less in the homatropine eyes [2.3 +/- 1.7 vs 4.0 +/- 2.1, P = 0.014 for VAS, 1.6 +/- 1.0 vs 2.5 +/- 1.0, P = 0.038 for VRS, and 6.8 +/- 5.7 vs 12.0 +/- 8.9, P = 0.005 for PRI]. No delayed epithelial healing was observed. Homatropine eye drops may be useful for reducing pain after Photorefractive keratectomy

Investigation of intraocular pressure changes due to different serum level heights by using tonopen in acquired globes from the Iran Eye Bank

To investigate intraocular pressure [IOP] changes due to different serum level heights by using Tonopen in acquired globes from the Iran Eye Bank [IEB]. In this interventional prospective case series, serum were infused into 18 normal globes acquired from IEB by using 21G needle inserted in vitreal space through optic nerve head to change the IOP by different fluid level heights from the globe surface. IOP of globes were measured and recorded by Tonopen over the sclera and over the cornea at different serum level heights. Twelve globes were acquired from male donors and 6 globes were from female donors. Mean age of donors were 57 year old. Mean measured pressures by Tonopen of the 18 globes at the serum level heights of 13.6, 27.2, 40.8, 54.4 and 68 cm from the globe surface were 14, 23.6, 34.8, 44 and 52.8 mmHg over the sclera and 13.1, 22.8, 34.8, 44.1 and 52.8 mmHg over the cornea respectively. Using a Tonopen is a proper method to measure the acquired globes IOP, except in serum level height of 13.6 cm [10 mmHg] from the globe surface. In addition, if tonometry over the cornea is not available, it can be done by using Tonopen over the sclera