Comparative evaluation of diclofenac and dexamethasone following strabismus surgery

Purpose: To compare efficacy of topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% with dexamethasone 0.1% following strabismus surgery. Methods: In this study, 58 patients undergoing strabismus surgery were evaluated. They were randomized into two groups: 29 patients received topical 0.1% diclofenac (Group A), and 29 patients received 0.1% dexamethasone (Group B) for 4 weeks. The baseline parameters were similar in both groups. At each visit comprehensive ocular examination was performed to record patient discomfort, conjunctival inflammation, gap, and intraocular pressure. Follow-up visits were at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, postoperatively. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of resolution of the inflammation, conjunctival healing, and intraocular pressure except rise of intraocular pressure at the fourth postoperative week in group B (P value <0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that diclofenac may be used as an alternative to dexamethasone after strabismus surgery.