Randomized Controlled Study of Cooled vs Room-Temperature Artificial Tears for Reducing Ocular Surface Irritation
Smrithi Mani1, Haoxing D Jin2, Bryce Shonka1
1Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Insights
Cooled artificial tears offer no significant advantage over room-temperature tears for reducing ocular discomfort following intravitreal injections (IVIs). Both interventions provided similar relief, suggesting no added benefit from cooling.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retina Research
Background:
- Intravitreal injections (IVIs) are common procedures for retinal diseases.
- Ocular discomfort is a frequent post-injection complaint.
- Artificial tears are often used to alleviate this discomfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of cooled versus room-temperature artificial tears in managing post-intravitreal injection ocular discomfort.
- To determine if temperature influences the efficacy of artificial tears for symptom relief.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving patients undergoing intravitreal injections.
- Participants were assigned to receive either cooled or room-temperature artificial tears.
- Ocular discomfort was assessed after tear administration in both groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was found in ocular discomfort reduction between the cooled and room-temperature artificial tears groups (P = .387).
- The level of discomfort reduction was comparable between interventions, irrespective of prior artificial tear use (P = .681).
Conclusions:
- Cooled artificial tears do not provide superior relief for post-intravitreal injection discomfort compared to room-temperature tears.
- The routine use of artificial tears post-injection may be influenced by placebo effects or recall bias rather than true therapeutic benefit.
Abstract:
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of cooled vs room-temperature artificial tears in reducing ocular discomfort after intravitreal injections (IVIs). Methods: Patients receiving a standard intravitreal injection in the retina clinic who met the eligibility criteria and provided informed consented were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to the cooled tears or room-temperature tears intervention group. Both groups rated their ocular discomfort following IVI after cooled or room-temperature tears were administered. Results: The cooled group comprised 48 patients and the room-temperature group, 61 patients. There was no significant difference in the reduction of ocular discomfort between the cooled vs room-temperature artificial tears groups (P = .387). In addition, there was a similar level of reduction in ocular discomfort after either intervention (P = .681) regardless of whether or not the patients routinely used artificial tears after previous IVIs. Conclusions: Cooled tears provided no additional benefit in reducing ocular discomfort post-IVI compared with room-temperature tears. Baseline tear use after an IVI may have no true benefit other than a potential placebo effect, recall bias, or both.
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