Short-term effects of flurbiprofen and diclofenac on refractive outcome and corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short-term effects of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on refractive outcome and corneal haze after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) according to the degree of myopia and to compare the results with those of topical steroids.


METHODS
Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
Patients were divided into two groups: low to moderate myopia (-6.00 diopters [D] or less) and high myopia (greater than 6.00 D). Then, each patient was randomly assigned to one of three drug subgroups for initial management (4 months post-PRK): corticosteroids (fluorometholone 0.1%); flurbiprofen sodium 0.03% (Ocufen); diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Decrol). Follow-up was 6 months.


RESULTS
In eyes with low to moderate myopia, the steroid and diclofenac subgroups had significantly different refractions 2 and 4 months postoperatively but no difference at 6 months; subjective haze grading was consistently lower in the steroid subgroup than in the NSAID subgroups (flurbiprofen, diclofenac) after 2 months. In eyes with high myopia, the steroid subgroup had significantly less myopic regression after 3 weeks and lower subjective haze after 2 months than the NSAID subgroups. The steroid subgroup had severe myopic regression or corneal haze less frequently than the NSAID subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical NSAIDs were less effective than topical steroids in reducing myopic regression and haze after PRK, especially in highly myopic eyes.
Baek
S H
SH
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Choi
S Y
SY
Chang
J H
JH
Wee
W R
WR
Lee
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005469:Fluorometholone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; D005480:Flurbiprofen; D005469:Fluorometholone