EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TOPICAL DICLOFENAC IN REDUCING OCULAR PAIN AFTER EXCIMER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium 0.1% ophthalmic solution in patients having myopic photorefractive keratec tomy (PRK). Setting: Corneal Laser Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital, Wir ral, United Kingdom.Methods: We performed a prospective, randomized, d ouble-masked, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of 50 patients (diclofenac 25, placebo 25) of both sexes who had myopic excimer laser PRK. Results were evaluated by several types of questionnaires and co mprehensive clinical examination on the day of the procedure and 1 and 3 to 14 days postoperatively. Results: Diclofenac-treated patients ex perienced significantly less photophobia, burning/stinging, and ocular pain and took significantly fewer oral narcotic analgesics over the f irst 24 hours postoperatively than placebo-treated patients. Conclusio n: Topical diclofenac significantly reduced the ocular pain and discom fort immediately after excimer PRK without any clinically significant complications or adverse effects.