Ripa M, Betts B, Dhaliwal S, et al. - Researchers conducted this prospective, randomized, longitudinal survey to assess and compare postoperative pain following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in patients using a preventive regimen of oral vs topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The sample consisted of 157 patients in a tertiary academic medical center setting. Study participants were randomized to either topical ketorolac 0.4% every 12 hours or oral naproxen sodium 220 mg every 12 hours for 72 hours after PRK, starting at the time of surgery. According to results, the peak pain scores were significantly higher in the oral NSAID group (mean 5.82, SD 1.94) vs the topical NSAID group (mean 4.2, SD 2.19) following PRK. Twice daily oral naproxen sodium 220 mg in the treatment of early postoperative pain after PRK is lower than twice daily topical ketorolac 0.4%. The authors also identified a consistent trend where pain scores after the procedure were the highest 24–72 hours after. This additional observation can help to understand, prevent and treat post-PRK pain.