Prospective, randomized, eye-to-eye comparison of a new silicone corneal shield versus conventional bandage contact lens after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose To compare uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and patient-reported outcomes with a new silicone corneal shield and a conventional bandage contact lens (BCL) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Setting Stanford Eye Laser Center (Palo Alto, California) and Slade & Baker Vision (Houston, Texas). Design Prospective randomized cohort study. Methods Standardized bilateral wavefront-guided or wavefront-optimized PRK was performed in 25 patients with myopia. Each patient's dominant eye was randomized to either a silicone corneal shield or a conventional BCL, which was placed at the conclusion of surgery. The contralateral eye was assigned the other intervention. The UDVA and patient-reported outcomes were measured preoperatively, 1 hour after surgery, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days postoperatively. Results At 1 day postoperatively, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) UDVA was 0.04 ± 0.16 (SD) in the silicone corneal shield group and 0.29 ± 0.22 in the BCL group (P  Conclusions The new silicone corneal shield was safe and effective, with faster visual recovery and a trend toward quicker epithelialization; however, it might be less comfortable than a conventional BCL.