Effect of topical cyclopentolate on post‐operative pain after pterygium surgery

Abstract

Objectives

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical cyclopentolate following pterygium surgery for post‐operative ocular pain.

Methods

All participants had nasal pterygium and underwent pterygium excision and conjunctival autografting with fibrin glue. Participants were randomised into two groups. Participants in group 1 received one per cent cyclopentolate eye drops and artificial tears upon completing surgery and were prescribed self‐administered drops three times daily for three days, while participants in group 2 received a control (artificial tears) in a manner identical to group 1. Data were gathered regarding post‐operative pain intensity experienced during each of the three days. Pain was graded from zero to 10 according to a visual analogue scale, in which zero signified no pain and 10 signified severe, unbearable pain.

Results

This study analysed data regarding 38 participants in group 1 and 40 participants in group 2. Results were defined as median with interquartile range (IQR); median of the pain scores at days one, two and three were as follows, respectively: 4 (IQR 2), 2.5 (IQR 1) and 2 (IQR 1.25) for group 1 and 5 (IQR 1), 3 (IQR 1.75) and 3 (IQR 1) for group 2. Pain scores were significantly lower for group 1 compared with group 2 at days one, two and three (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Topical cyclopentolate seems to be effective and well tolerated following pterygium surgery for post‐operative ocular pain.

Key words:

• cyclopentolate
• pain
• pterygium surgery