A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 12 studies with a total of 1080 subjects. Meta-analysis of seven studies with dichotomous healing outcomes favoured no patching on the first day of healing (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.00). For days two and three there was no significant difference between the two groups (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.02, 6 trials, n=497 and RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.05, 4 trials, n=430, respectively, moderate certainty evidence). In general, similar pain ratings were seen between patch and no-patch groups. Complication rates were low and no differences were noted in these between the two groups. No-patch groups generally received more adjuvant treatment with antibiotics and/or cycloplegics than the patch group which is an important confounding factor.
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