title: Topical diclofenac sodium after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical diclofenac sodium reduces postoperative pain in patients after phototherapeutic keratectomy.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Förster
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ratkay
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Busse
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac