Comparison of the Lotrafilcon B and Comfilcon A Silicone Hydrogel Bandage Contact Lens on Postoperative Ocular Discomfort After Photorefractive Keratectomy

Objectives: To compare the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods: One hundred twenty eyes of 60 patients who underwent PRK were included in this randomized clinical trial study. In the end of the surgery, the lotrafilcon B (Air Optix; Ciba Vision, Duluth, GA) was used in one eye and the comfilcon A (Biofinity; Coopervision, Fairport, NY) was used in the fellow eye randomly. Pain and discomfort were assessed on the first and third day after surgery by visual analogue scale. Results: The mean pain score was 3.75 +/- 3.32 and 4.47 +/- 3.60 on the first day (P=0.253) and 3.63 +/- 3.48 and 4.16 +/- 3.60 on the third day (P=0.416) after the use of the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A, respectively. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.823). The mean score of foreign body sensation was 4.31 +/- 3.38 and 5.49 +/- 3.04 on the first day (P=0.045) and 4.44 +/- 3.34 and 5.13 +/- 3.23 on the third day (P=0.250) after the use of the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A, respectively. The comfilcon A lens caused a more severe foreign body sensation only on the first day. There was no significant difference in photophobia, epiphora, and blurred vision between the two lenses (P>0.05). Conclusions: Both lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses reduce clinical symptoms after PRK effectively. We found no difference in pain control and discomfort between them. However, the patients using the lotrafilcon B lens showed less foreign body sensation on the first day postoperatively.