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Preservative-Free Diclofenac Sodium Effective In Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

Preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops are effective and safe in controlling the signs and symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, according to study findings.

Researchers from University of Rome "Tor Vergata" and other Italian centres enrolled 22 patients into their prospective open study. All patients had vernal keratoconjunctivitis. They applied preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% drops in both eyes, four times a day, for 120 days.

At the end of treatment, 40% of patients showed improvement in the symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, namely itching, redness and photophobia. Moreover, the total sign (papillae, hyperaemia and corneal lesions) and symptoms scores were lower at the end of treatment compared to baseline. Conjunctival redness and hyperaemia, itching and photophobia all declined by the end of treatment.

Corneal lesions and papillary size did not change, however, and no patient experienced an exacerbation of vernal keratoconjunctivitis during treatment with diclofenac sodium.

The authors commented that the study is preliminary. They did conclude, however, that prolonged use of preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops is effective and safe in controlling the signs and symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2003;241:192-195. "Preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% for vernal keratoconjunctivitis"

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