Table 3.

Comparison of the mean scores for each subjective symptom in three groups.

Epithelial removal technique	Group 1 (n: 18) (excimer laser t-PTK)	Group 2 (n: 27) (alcohol-assisted)	Group 3 (n: 20) (mechanical)	p value a
Foreign body sensation score	2.10 ± 1.85 (0–5)	2.71 ± 1.97 (0–5)	4.50 ± 0.53 (4–5)	0.01 b
Tearing score	2.30 ± 2.05 (0–5)	2.70 ± 1.71 (0–4)	2.87 ± 2.47 (0–5)	0.84
Photophobia score	1.90 ± 2.46 (0–5)	3.85 ± 1.34 (2–5)	3.12 ± 1.55 (0–5)	0.13
Burning sensation score	2.30 ± 1.41 (0–4)	2.28 ± 1.88 (0–5)	3.00 ± 1.69 (0–5)	0.61

t-PTK, transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy.

Results are described as ‘mean ± standard deviation (range)’.

^aOne-way analysis of variance.

^bStatistically significant.