A comparison of pressure patching versus no patching for corneal abrasions due to trauma or foreign body removal. Corneal Abrasion Patching Study Group.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of pressure patching in the treatment of noninfected, noncontact lens-related traumatic corneal abrasions and abrasions secondary to removal of corneal foreign bodies.

METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three patients with noninfected, noncontact lens-related traumatic or foreign body removal-related corneal abrasions were followed daily after receiving topical antibiotics and mydriatics and after being randomized to receive either a pressure patch or no patch.

RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were excluded from the study. For data analysis, the remaining patients were split into two sections: those with traumatic corneal abrasions (120 patients) and those with corneal abrasions secondary to removal of corneal foreign bodies (81 patients). Patients with traumatic corneal abrasions healed significantly faster, had less pain, and had fewer reports of blurred vision" when they were not wearing a patch. The amount of photophobia, tearing, and foreign body sensation were similar between the patch and no-patch groups. Similarly, for corneal abrasions due to removal of foreign bodies, patients healed significantly faster and had less pain when they were not wearing a patch. There was no difference in the amount of photophobia, tearing, foreign body sensation, or blurred vision. Finally, there was better compliance in the no-patch group.

CONCLUSIONS: Noninfected, noncontact lens-related traumatic corneal abrasions as well as abrasions secondary to foreign body removal can be treated with antibiotic ointment and mydriatics alone without the need for a pressure patch.