COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF EIGHT DIFFERENT TOPICAL NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS ON REDUCING INTRAVITREAL INJECTION-INDUCED PAIN.

PURPOSE: To compare topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) efficacy on intravitreal injection-induced pain reduction and determine the most efficient topical NSAID. METHODS: This randomized-controlled study included 662 eyes of 662 patients. Based on the types of NSAID administered before intravitreal injection, eight subgroups were formed. In the control group, a sterile saline solution was applied instead of NSAIDs. The visual analog scale was used to assess pain scores after intravitreal injection. The visual analog scale scores were noted immediately and 6 hours following injection (sixth hour). RESULTS: Nepafenac 0.3%, nepafenac 0.1%, and bromfenac 0.09% had the lowest scores, immediately after and after 6 hours, with no significant differences. Diclofenac and ketorolac had higher visual analog scale scores than the first trio but lower scores than the control group. Flurbiprofen, pranoprofen, and indomethacin did not significantly affect immediate pain; however, at the sixth hour, the visual analog scale scores were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Nepafenac 0.3%, nepafenac 0.1%, and bromfenac 0.09% were the most effective NSAIDs for pain reduction. Although some NSAIDs did not have a significant effect on immediate pain, they all provided significant benefits at the sixth hour.

Efficacy of topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate in post-refractive surgery chronic dry eye patients with ocular pain.

BACKGROUND: The management of post-refractive surgery dry eye disease (DED) can be challenging in clinical practice, and patients usually show an incomplete response to traditional artificial tears, especially when it is complicated with ocular pain. Therefore, we aim to investigate the efficacy of combined topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate treatment in post-refractive surgery DED patients with ocular pain unresponsive to traditional artificial tears. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with post-refractive surgery DED with ocular pain who were unresponsive to traditional artificial tears. Topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate were used for 3 months. They were evaluated at baseline and 1 and 3 months for dry eye and ocular pain symptoms and objective parameters, including Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye (NPSI-Eye), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIt), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), corneal sensitivity, and corneal nerve morphology. In addition, tear levels of inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides were measured using the Luminex assay. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment, patients showed a statistically significant improvement in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), TBUT, SIt, CFS, and corneal sensitivity (all P < 0.01) using linear mixed models. As for ocular pain parameters, the NRS and NPSI-Eye scores were significantly reduced (both P < 0.05) and positively correlated with the OSDI and CFS scores. Additionally, tear IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were improved better than pre-treatment (P = 0.01, 0.03, 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with post-refractive surgery DED with ocular pain, combined topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate treatment improved tear film stability, dry eye discomfort, and ocular pain, effectively controlling ocular inflammation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number: NCT06043908.

FL-41 Tint Reduces Activation of Neural Pathways of Photophobia in Patients with Chronic Ocular Pain.

PURPOSE: To assess the therapeutic effect of tinted lenses (FL-41) on photophobia and light-evoked brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in individuals with chronic ocular surface pain. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: 25 subjects from the Miami veterans affairs (VA) eye clinic were recruited based on the presence of chronic ocular pain, dry eye symptoms, and photophobia. Using a 3T MRI scanner, subjects underwent 2 fMRI scans using an event-related design based on light stimuli: one scan while wearing FL-41 lenses and one without. Unpleasantness ratings evoked by the light stimuli were collected after each scan. RESULTS: With FL-41 lenses, subjects reported decreased (n = 19), maintained (n = 2), or increased (n = 4) light-evoked unpleasantness ratings. Group analysis at baseline (no lens) revealed significant light evoked responses in bilateral primary somatosensory (S1), bilateral secondary somatosensory (S2), bilateral insula, bilateral frontal pole, visual, precuneus, paracingulate, and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) as well as cerebellar vermis, bilateral cerebellar hemispheric lobule VI, and bilateral cerebellar crus I and II. With FL-41 lenses, light-evoked responses were significantly decreased in bilateral S1, bilateral S2, bilateral insular, right temporal pole, precuneus, ACC, and paracingulate cortices as well as bilateral cerebellar hemispheric lobule VI. CONCLUSION: FL-41 lenses modulated photophobia symptoms in some individuals with chronic ocular pain. In conjunction, FL-41 lenses decreased activation in cortical areas involved in processing affective and sensory-discriminative dimensions of pain. Further research into these relationships will advance the ability to provide precision therapy for individuals with ocular pain.

Use of gabapentin in management of postoperative pain after crosslinking / Uso da gabapentina no manejo da dor pós-operatória do crosslinking

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin in the management of neuropathic pain in patients with keratoconus, who were treated with fast (10 minutes) epi-off corneal crosslinking (CXL). Methods: This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized study. The sample comprised patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus, aged 12 years or older, who underwent a bilateral epi-off corneal CXL (fast - 10 minutes) procedure. One group was given placebo orally, and the other group received gabapentin 600 mg orally, both preoperatively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied to record postoperative pain up to 48 hours after procedure. The study was conducted at the Belotto Stock Centro Oftalmológico, in the city of Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from June 2018 to September 2019. Results: At no point in the study significant differences were observed between groups, in terms of pain intensity measured by means of the VAS questionnaire, or of opioid use (Paco®), though opioid consumption was 21% lower in the group receiving gabapentin. Conclusion: We concluded gabapentin has no efficacy in postoperative pain control after epi-off corneal CXL (fast - 10 minutes). Although there was no statistically significant difference, the group that received gabapentin suffered less pain, resulting in lower opioid consumption. UTN number: U1111-1256-0330.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia do uso da gabapentina no manejo da dor neuropática em pacientes portadores de ceratocone submetidos ao tratamento de crosslinking corneano epi-off fast de 10 minutos. Métodos: Tratou-se de pesquisa prospectiva, duplo-cega, randomizada. A amostra foi composta de pacientes com ceratocone progressivo bilateral, a partir dos 12 anos de idade, submetidos ao procedimento de crosslinking corneano acelerado epi-off fast de 10 minutos bilateral. Um grupo recebeu placebo via oral e o outro, gabapentina 600mg, via oral, ambos no pré-operatório. A Escala Visual Analógica foi aplicada para registrar a dor pós-operatória até 48 horas após o procedimento. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de junho de 2018 a setembro de 2019 em um centro oftalmológico. Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas significativas para ambos os grupos, tanto na intensidade da dor medida pela Escala Visual Analógica, como na redução do uso do opioide (Paco®), em qualquer horário analisado durante um período de 48 horas. No entanto, houve redução de 21% no consumo de opioides pelo grupo que fez uso da gabapentina. Conclusão: A gabapentina não demonstrou eficácia no controle da dor no pós-operatório do crosslinking corneano epi-off fast de 10 minutos. No entanto, observou-se que, mesmo não havendo diferença estatisticamente significativa, houve diminuição da dor no grupo em que foi usada a gabapentina, resultando na redução do consumo de opioides. Número UTN: U1111-1256-0330.

Triancinolona intra-vítrea e clorpromazina retrobulbar como alternativas ao manejo do olho cego doloroso / Intravietrea trianciclone and retotubulbar chlorpromazine as alternative to blind paintful eye manegement

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo desde estudo foi avaliar a efetividade da triancinolona intra-vítrea e da clorpromazina retrobulbar como alternativas no manejo da dor ocular em olhos cegos. Métodos: Este foi um estudo prospectivo intervencionista não-randomizado de pacientes com olho cego doloroso não responsivo ao tratamento tópico e sem indicação de evisceração atendidos no Serviço de Oftalmologia do Hospital Governador Celso Ramos no ano de 2010. Após exame oftalmológico e ultrassonografia ocular modo B, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Pacientes do Grupo 1 possuíam glaucoma intratável e receberam injeção retrobulbar de clorpromazina 2,5ml, e pacientes do Grupo 2 possuíam olhos phthisicos com componente inflamatório e receberam injeção intra-vítrea de triancinolona 0,3ml. Foram realizadas avaliações com 1, 3 e 6 meses após o procedimento e a dor quantificada de forma subjetiva em uma escala de 0 a 10 (sem dor e com o máximo de dor, respectivamente). Resultados: Foram incluídos 38 olhos, sendo 15 no Grupo 1 e 21 no Grupo 2. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino e idade média de 54 anos. A causa mais prevalente de olho cego doloroso foi o glaucoma neovascular. Tanto a injeção de clorpromazina retrobulbar quanto a de triancinolona intra-vítrea mostraram-se eficazes no controle da dor ocular em olhos cegos no período do estudo (p<0,001). Ocorreu uma redução de 77,1% no uso de colírios (p<0,01) após a aplicação das medicações. Conclusão: Tanto a injeção de clorpromazina retrobulbar quanto a de triancinolona intra-vítrea mostraram resultados significativos no controle da dor ocular em olhos cegos, além de uma redução no uso de colírios. A clorpromazina é um medicamento de baixo custo, com melhor perfil de efeitos adversos e mostrou resultados discretamente melhores relação à triancinolona. Possíveis viéses identificados no estudo são o de tempo e seleção.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone and retrobulbar chlorpromazine as alternatives in the management of ocular pain in blind eyes. Methods: This was a non-randomized interventional prospective study of patients with painful blind eye unresponsive to topical treatment and without indication of evisceration treated at the Hospital Governador Celso Ramos Ophthalmology Service in 2010. After ocular examination and ocular B mode ultrasound, patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 patients had intractable glaucoma and received retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine 2.5ml, and Group 2 patients had phthisics eyes with inflammatory component and received intravitreal triamcinolone injection 0.3ml. Evaluations were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure and quantified pain subjectively on a scale from 0 to 10 (no pain and maximum pain, respectively). Results: 38 eyes were included, 15 in Group 1 and 21 in Group 2. There was a predominance of males with a mean age of 54 years. The most prevalent cause of painful blind eye was the neovascular glaucoma. Any retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine as the intravitreal triamcinolone shown to be effective in the control of ocular pain in the eye blind study period (p <0.001). There was a 77.1% reduction in eye drops (p <0.01) after application of medication. Conclusion: Both the retrobulbar injection chlorpromazine as the intravitreal triamcinolone showed significant results in the control of ocular pain in blind eyes, and a reduction in the use of eye drops. Chlorpromazine is a low cost product, with a better adverse effect profile and showed slightly better results compared to triamcinolone. Potential bias identified in the study are the time and selection.

Treatment of patients with painful blind eye using stellate ganglion block / Tratamento de pacientes portadores de olho cego doloroso por meio de bloqueio de gânglio estrelado

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: management of pain in painful blind eyes is still a challenge. Corticosteroids and hypotensive agents, as well as evisceration and enucleation, are some of the strategies employed so far that are not always effective and, depending on the strategy, cause a deep emotional shock to the patient. Given these issues, the aim of this case report is to demonstrate a new and viable option for the management of such pain by treating the painful blind eye with the stellate ganglion block technique, a procedure that has never been described in the literature for this purpose. CASE REPORT: six patients with painful blind eye, all caused by glaucoma, were treated; in these patients, VAS (visual analogue scale for pain assessment, in which 0 is the absence of pain and 10 is the worst pain ever experienced) ranged from 7 to 10. We opted for weekly sessions of stellate ganglion block with 4 mL of bupivacaine (0.5%) without vasoconstrictor and clonidine 1 mcg/kg. Four patients had excellent results at VAS, ranging between 0 and 3, and two remained asymptomatic (VAS = 0), without the need for additional medication. The other two used gabapentin 300 mg every 12 h. CONCLUSION: currently, there are several therapeutic options for the treatment of painful blind eye, among which stand out the retrobulbar blocks with chlorpromazine, alcohol and phenol. However, an effective strategy with low rate of serious complications, which is non-mutilating and improves the quality of life of the patient, is essential. Then, stellate ganglion block arises as a demonstrably viable and promising option to meet this demand.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: o manejo da dor em olhos cegos dolorosos ainda é um desafio. Corticosteroides e hipotensores, bem como evisceração e enucleação, são algumas das estratégias até então empregadas, nem sempre eficazes e que, a depender da estratégia, causam um profundo abalo emocional no paciente. Dadas essas questões, o objetivo deste relato de caso é demonstrar uma nova e viável opção para o manejo desse tipo de dor por meio do tratamento do olho cego doloroso com bloqueios de gânglio cervicotorácico, técnica nunca descrita na literatura para esse fim. RELATO DE CASO: foram tratados seis pacientes portadores de olho cego doloroso, todos por glaucoma, nos quais a EVA (escala visual analógica para avaliação da dor em que 0 é ausência de dor e 10 é a maior dor já experimentada) variava de 7 a 10. Optou-se por sessões semanais de bloqueio de gânglio cervicotorácico com 4 mL de bupivacaína (0,5%) sem vasoconstritor e clonidina 1 mcg/Kg. Quatro pacientes apresentaram excelente resultado EVA, com variação entre 0 e 3, e dois permaneceram assintomáticos (EVA = 0), sem necessidade de medicação suplementar. Os outros dois usaram gabapentina 300 mg de 12 em 12 horas. CONCLUSÃO: atualmente, várias são as opções terapêuticas para o tratamento do olho cego doloroso, entre as quais se destacam os bloqueios retrobulbares com clorpromazina, álcool e fenol. No entanto, uma estratégia eficaz, com pequeno índice de complicações graves, não mutilante e que melhore a qualidade de vida do paciente é imprescindível. O bloqueio do gânglio cervicotorácico surge, pois, como uma opção comprovadamente viável e promissora para atender a essa demanda.

Analgesia preemptiva com dipirona versus ibuprofeno na fotocoagulação a laser da retina / Preemptive analgesia of metamizole versus ibuprofen in retinal laser photocoagulation

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a efetividade da dipirona versus o ibuprofeno para a redução da dor na fotocoagulação da retina (FR). Método: Foi realizado um estudo controlado, duplo cego e randomizado englobando trinta e quatro pacientes com retinopatia diabética separados em dois grupos. Grupo A recebeu 1000mg de dipirona e o grupo B recebeu 600mg de ibuprofeno. A dor foi avaliada pela escala visual analógica. Resultado: A média do escore da dor nos grupos A e B foi de 5,2 ± 2.6 e 4,5 ± 1,4, respectivamente. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos (p=0,34). O mesmo foi observado quanto à analise entre dor leve, moderada e grave (p=0,09). Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto à idade e sexo. Conclusão: Os medicamentos foram equivalentes ou equipotentes em reduzir a dor ocular durante a fotocoagulação a laser da retina.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effectiveness of metamizole versus ibuprofen for the reduction of pain in retinal photocoagulation (RP). Method: A double-masked randomized controlled study was performed. Thirty-four patients with diabetic retinopathy were enrolled. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A received oral 1000 mg metamizole. Group B received an oral intake of 600 mg ibuprofen. Pain during RP was assessed using a visual analog scale. Results: The mean pain scores for groups A and B were 5.2±2.6 and 4.5±1.4 (p=0.34). There were no significant differences in the mean pain scores between the two groups. The same is observed when analyzing by low, medium and high pain (p=0.09). The groups were similar in age and gender. Conclusion: Both drugs were equivalents or equipotent in reduce ocular pain during retinal photocoagulation.