topical sodium diclofenac during pan-retinal photocoagulation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

purpose: to evaluate the analgesic effect of topical sodium diclofenac 0.1% during pan-retinal photocoagulation (prp) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (pdr). methods: two-hundred informed patients (102 male, 98 female) with pdr were enrolled in this randomized controlled double-masked clinical trial. the treatment group received sodium diclofenac 0.1% eye drops and controls received artificial tear 30, 60 or 90 minutes before laser therapy in a masked and random fashion. pain level was evaluated immediately after prp using the scott’s visual analogue scale. results: mean patient age was 53.6±14.2 (range 20-82) years. average pain level was 46% in the treatment group vs 77% in controls (p<0.0001, t-test). average pain level was 42% in female vs 46% in male subjects in the treatment group (p=0.014, t-test). there was no correlation in either group between pain level and age, number of laser spots, time interval from application of the drops to laser treatment (30, 60 or 90 minutes) and using daily aspirin. conclusion: using topical sodium diclofenac 0.1% before prp in patients with pdr is a useful method for pain reduction.