Patient satisfaction and postoperative pain with different postoperative therapy regimens after standardized cataract surgery: a randomized intraindividual comparison

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if administration of artificial tears of high or low-viscosity improve cataract patients’ satisfaction and postoperative pain after cataract surgery. Thirty consecutive patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery under topical anesthesia were enrolled prospectively. Administration of the following postoperative therapies was randomized: for all participants, one eye was treated with “instant vision” (IV) therapy alone (IV-alone), i.e., this eye remained uncovered. In group 1 (n = 11), the second eye received IV therapy with Hylo-Comod^® (HC) eye drops; in group 2 (n = 9), IV with Vidisic^® (VS) eye drops; in group 3 (n = 10), an ointment bandage (OB). Postoperative satisfaction, pain scores, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, tear break-up time and postoperative corneal changes were compared. Group 1: No clear preference was observed for any of the methods concerning subjective satisfaction. Group 2: 100% of patients preferred IV + VS therapy. Group 3: Patients’ postoperative satisfaction with OB therapy was 89%. Concerning postoperative pain perception, no significant differences were found between IV therapy alone and the IV-combination therapies. Significant differences in pain perception (P < 0.042) were measured between IV and OB in the first 8 h postoperatively. Ten hours postoperatively and beyond, there were no significant differences in pain scores (P > 0.05). Pain perception was significantly lower with OB when compared to IV-alone or IV-combination therapies using artificial tears. This result was verified by OB’s 89% patient satisfaction level. Low-viscosity artificial tears showed no significant subjective benefits for the patients; patient satisfaction was greatest (100%) with a high-viscosity tear substitute.