Effects of topical diclofenac and prednisolone eyedrops in laser in situ keratomileusis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, diclofenac, and prednisolone acetate on wound healing, postoperative inflammation, and other clinical parameters in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients.


METHODS
Fundación VER, Córdoba, Argentina.


METHODS
Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia was performed simultaneously in both eyes of 16 patients by 1 surgeon. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive diclofenac eyedrops in the right eyes and prednisolone acetate eyedrops in the left. Postoperatively, the drops were administered topically every 2 hours the first day, every 6 hours the first week, every 8 hours the second week, and once a day the fourth week. Preoperatively and at each postoperative visit, evaluation of visual acuity, slitlamp biomicroscopy, corneal topography, and clinical scoring (0-III) of pain and photophobia were done; epithelial interface opacities were objectively evaluated. Follow-up was at 24, 48, and 72 hours, 1, 2, and 3 weeks, and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. A paired t test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Mean age of the 16 patients was 29.4 years +/- 6.5 (SD). Preoperatively, mean spherical equivalent was -5.83 +/- 3.61 diopters (D) in the right eyes and -6.96 +/- 4.66 D in the left eyes. At 6 months postoperatively, it was -1.83 +/- 1.87 D and -1.88 +/- 2.13 D, respectively. In the first 24 hours, there were significant clinical symptoms in the diclofenac group.


CONCLUSIONS
Wound healing was stable, with no regression, in the diclofenac and prednisolone groups. Both anti-inflammatory agents worked well in LASIK patients.
Vantesone
D L
DL
Fundación Ver, Córdoba, Argentina.
Luna
J D
JD
Muiño
J C
JC
Juárez
C P
CP
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000188:drug therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone