TREATMENT OF CORNEAL ABRASIONS WITH SOFT CONTACT-LENSES AND TOPICAL DICLOFENAC

BACKGROUND: Treatment of corneal abrasions often involves antibiotic o intment and pressure patching. The corneal abrasions following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy have been managed with disposable s oft contact lenses and diclofenac (Voltaren) eye drops. METHODS: We re port 13 patients with corneal abrasions from trauma or recurrent corne al erosions treated with application of a disposable soft contact lens and instillation of diclofenac and antibiotic eye drops. RESULTS: All 13 patients reported significant pain relief and all abrasions healed within 3 days (most within 24 hours). Two of the recurrent erosion pa tients suffered subsequent spontaneous abrasions and one of the trauma tic abrasion patients developed a possible infectious keratitis which cleared without visual loss. CONCLUSIONS: In this small series, the co mbination of a disposable soft contact lens and the instillation of di clofenac drops provided significant pain relief while the abrasion hea led and allowed the patients to function with binocular vision. This t reatment regimen offers an alternative to pressure patching in the tre atment of corneal abrasions.