Topical diclofenac sodium after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.

BACKGROUND

Both the potential analgesic effects and side-effects of topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% are points of interest after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.

METHODS

Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy was performed in 134 eyes of 134 patients. In 65 eyes (65 patients), the effects of topical diclofenac given three times a day for 3 to 4 days were compared to a control group of 69 eyes (69 patients). All patients received paracetamol for systemic analgesia and were patched after surgery until reepithelialization.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (43%) of the diclofenac group needed additional systemic analgesics compared to 67 patients (95%) in the control group. Seventy-two hours after surgery we found no significant differences in corneal epithelial wound healing and no severe complications.

CONCLUSION

Topical diclofenac sodium reduces postoperative pain in patients after phototherapeutic keratectomy.