N. Loya et al., TOPICAL DICLOFENAC FOLLOWING EXCIMER-LASER - EFFECT ON CORNEAL SENSITIVITY AND WOUND-HEALING IN RABBITS, Journal of refractive and corneal surgery, 10(4), 1994, pp. 423-427
BACKGROUND: Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID
) that is widely used systemically and topically. We studied the effec
t of diclofenac on corneal reepithelialization and corneal sensitivity
after excimer laser treatment in rabbits. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand
white rabbits were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D). Groups
A and B received diclofenac four times and eight times daily, respecti
vely, following a central 5-millimeter epithelial debridement. Groups
C (control) and D (diclofenac four times daily) underwent excimer lase
r ablation (30-micrometer depth) following manual debridement. Wound h
ealing was compared between groups A and B and groups C and D. Sensiti
vity was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively 1 to 5 and 14 day
s in groups C and D until normal values were reestablished. RESULTS: T
otal time for corneal wound healing and epithelial migration rates was
not delayed in any group receiving diclofenac (A, B, and D). Sensitiv
ity after laser ablation reached a minimum of 15% to 20% in both group
s C and D by day 2 and returned to normal (100% by day 8. The decrease
in sensitivity between group C, the controls, and group D, receiving
diclofenac four times daily, was not statistically significant. CONCLU
SIONS: Diclofenac can be used up to eight times daily in the rabbit wi
thout causing changes in corneal wound healing or epithelial migration
rate. There was no significant, long-term reduction of sensitivity, a
nd recovery was not affected by diclofenac.