The Effect of 0.1% Indomethacin and 0.1% Diclofenac Eye Drops on Ocular Surface Sensitivity

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Corneal sensitivity has a significant role in the homeostasis of ocular surface health, influencing both epithelial mitosis and tear secretion rates. In many instances a decreased ocular surface (OS) sensitivity is a risk factor for OS health. Aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the acute use of two different topical NSAIDs on corneal and conjunctival sensitivity. Methods: Sixty pairs of normal eyes have been included in the study and divided into three equal and age matched groups. In each group, randomly, one eye was respectively treated four times at one minute intervals with one drop of 0.1% Indomethacin, 0.1% Diclofenac or 0.14 % polyvinyl alcohol tear substitute. OS sensitivity was measured by multiple testing of cornea, limbus and temporal conjunctiva by means of the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer (Luneau, France) 30 minutes after the last instillation. The Bonferroni test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean difference in sensitivity (mm) 30 minutes after instillation are reported in the following table: Conclusions: A significant drop in OS sensitivity was a common feature of the eyes treated with NSAIDs. The reduction in corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in the 0.1% Indomethacin treated group compared to 0.1 % Diclofenac treated group. This appears of particular value despite the high variability of the measuring system. The clinical importance of such finding should be confirmed by a larger study.  

* p<0.05 vs. all groups, # p<0.05 vs. tear substitute

Keywords: inflammation • innervation: sensation