Comparative evaluation of corneal epithelial permeability after the use of diclofenac 0.1% and flurbiprofen 0.03% after phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the corneal epithelial function after prolonged topical administration of diclofenac 0.1% and flurbiprofen 0.03% single-dose eyedrops.


METHODS
University Eye Clinic of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.


METHODS
This randomized prospective study comprised 24 patients scheduled for phacoemulsification. The patients were randomly assigned to receive diclofenac or flurbiprofen eyedrops for 2 months after surgery. Corneal epithelial permeability was determined by fluorophotometry 7, 37, and 67 days after surgery.


RESULTS
An increase in corneal epithelial permeability was observed in the diclofenac group 37 and 67 days after surgery. No epithelial function alterations occurred in the flurbiprofen group.


CONCLUSIONS
Subclinical impairment of the epithelial function was observed during topical treatment with diclofenac 0.1% single-dose eyedrops after phacoemulsification. The mechanism responsible for this effect remains unknown.
Tognetto
D
D
Eye Clinic, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy. tognetto@univ.trieste.it
Cecchini
P
P
Sanguinetti
G
G
Pedio
M
M
Ravalico
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010539:Permeability; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; D005480:Flurbiprofen; D019793:Fluorescein