A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL OF THE NONSTEROIDAL EYEDROP DICLOFENAC AFTER STRABISMUS SURGERY

Objective: This study aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory and analg esic effects of topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Voltaren) with prednis olone sodium phosphate 1% ophthalmic solution after strabismus surgery . Design: A prospective, double-masked, randomized, two-center clinica l trial. Participants: Eighty eyes of 52 patients undergoing strabismu s surgery were examined. Intervention: For 1 week after surgery, the e ye that was operated on received one drop of either diclofenac or pred nisolone four times a day. Main Outcome Measures: The diclofenac- and prednisolone-treated eyes were compared on postoperative days 3 and 7 with respect to signs of inflammation (e.g., erythema, edema, discharg e), patient comfort, and conjunctival incisional healing. Results: On postoperative day 7, in eyes that received prednisolone, the conjuncti val defects were larger (P = 0.004) and more frequent (P = 0.02). For all subjects, despite adequate statistical power, there was no statist ically significant difference in inflammatory scores between eyes that received diclofenac or prednisolone. In cases of bilateral surgery, h owever, there was less postoperative erythema and edema in the diclofe nac-treated eyes. Conclusions: In the first week after strabismus surg ery, topical diclofenac proved at least as effective as prednisolone i n controlling inflammation and discomfort with less delay in incisiona l wound healing. Topical diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, may be considered for use after strabismus surgery in place of corticosteroids.