Ocular Pain after Refractive Surgery: Interim Analysis of Frequency and Risk Factors

Purpose: To examine the frequency and risk factors for ocular pain after laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Design: Prospective study of individuals undergoing refractive surgery at 2 different centers. Participants: One hundred nine individuals undergoing refractive surgery: 87% LASIK and 13% PRK. Methods: Participants rated ocular pain on a numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0 to 10 before surgery and 1 day, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. A clinical examination focused on ocular surface health was performed 3 and 6 months after surgery. Persistent ocular pain was defined as an NRS score of 3 or more at both 3 and 6 months after surgery (patients), and this group was compared with individuals with NRS scores of < 3 at both time points (control participants). Main Outcome Measures: Individuals with persistent ocular pain after refractive surgery. Results: The 109 patients who underwent refractive surgery were followed up for 6 months after surgery. Mean age was 34 ± 8 years (range, 23–57 years); 62% self-identified as female, 81% as White, and 33% as Hispanic. Eight patients (7%) reported ocular pain (NRS score ≥ 3) before surgery, with the frequency of ocular pain increasing after surgery to 23% (n = 25) at 3 months and 24% (n = 26) at 6 months. Twelve patients (11%) reported an NRS score of 3 or more at both time points and constituted the persistent pain group. Factors that predicted persistent pain after surgery in a multivariable analysis were (1) ocular pain before surgery predicated persistent pain after surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–3.31), (2) symptom report of depression before surgery (Patient Health Questionnaire-9: OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6; P = 0.01), (3) use of an oral antiallergy medication before surgery (OR, 13.6; 95% CI, 2.1–89.3; P = 0.007), and (4) pain intensity day 1 after surgery (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2–2.2; P = 0.005). There were no significant associations between ocular surface signs of tear dysfunction and ocular pain, P > 0.05 for all ocular surface signs. Most individuals (> 90%) were completely or somewhat satisfied with their vision at 3 and 6 months. Conclusions: Eleven percent of individuals reported persistent ocular pain after refractive surgery, with several preoperative and perioperative factors predicting pain after surgery. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.