EFFICACY
OF EYE PATCHING FOR TRAUMATIC CORNEAL ABRASIONS: A CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL.
Le Sage
N, Verreault R, Rochette L. Ann Emerg Med 2001 Aug;38(2):129-34.
STUDY
OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of eye patching in the treatment
of traumatic corneal abrasions in terms of time to healing and reduction in
pain and discomfort.
METHODS:
One hundred sixty-three patients presenting at the emergency department of a
large university-affiliated hospital with traumatic corneal abrasions were
included in this single-blind prospective controlled trial. Eligible patients
were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment regimens: topical antibiotic ointment and
occlusive patch over the affected eye (n=82) or topical antibiotic ointment 4
times a day without an occlusive patch (n=81). Patients were reexamined every
24 hours until corneal healing occurred. Healing evaluation was performed by
the emergency physician, using a slit lamp with fluorescein staining, without
knowledge of the patient's assignment to a treatment group. The degree of
discomfort was assessed at each visit by using a visual analog scale.
RESULTS:
Both treatment groups were similar regarding size of the corneal lesions, delay
from trauma to first ED visit, presence of foreign body or siderosis, initial
degree of discomfort, and presence of specific symptoms (irritation, foreign
body sensation, photophobia, redness, and pain). In the patched group,
cumulative incidences of healing were 51%, 78%, and 92% after 1, 2, and 3 days,
respectively, compared with 60%, 83%, and 88% in the nonpatched group. In the
patched group, symptoms of initial discomfort decreased by 4.8, 4.1, and 5.5 cm
after 1, 2, and 3 days, respectively, compared with 3.3, 5.1, and 6.5 cm in the
nonpatched group.
CONCLUSION:
Eye patching does not appear to be beneficial in the treatment of traumatic
corneal abrasions compared with topical antibiotic ointment.
COMMENTS:
For a nice review article, follow this link.