Scientists have developed contact lenses that can provide extended release anesthetic medication to the eyes of patients who undergo laser eye surgery, according to a news release.
Patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy — an alternative to LASIK — have to place medicated drops in their eyes every few hours for a few days. Patients receive a "bandage contact lens" after surgery to help the outer layer of the eye heal. Researchers added vitamin E to the lenses to test whether anesthetics loaded in to the lens could release the drugs over time. They found the vitamin E extended the time of release for three commonly used anesthetics from less than two hours to a few days in some cases.
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Patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy — an alternative to LASIK — have to place medicated drops in their eyes every few hours for a few days. Patients receive a "bandage contact lens" after surgery to help the outer layer of the eye heal. Researchers added vitamin E to the lenses to test whether anesthetics loaded in to the lens could release the drugs over time. They found the vitamin E extended the time of release for three commonly used anesthetics from less than two hours to a few days in some cases.
Related Articles on Ophthalmology:
New Book Discusses Computational Modeling Methods for Ophthalmologists
Devon Energy Donates $2M to Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City
LASIK Increasingly Offered on Daily Deal Sites