J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2015 Sep;56(9):1324-1330. 10.3341/jkos.2015.56.9.1324.

Clinical Efficacy of Topical Diquafosol Tetrasodium after Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis

• Kim MK
• Jeong HK
• Ahn JM
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2214545
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2015.56.9.1324

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of topical diquafosol tetrasodium (DQS) after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
METHODS
This randomized prospective study included 97 eyes of 49 patients who were scheduled for LASEK. Patients in the DQS group used both 0.3% sodium hyaluronate and 3% DQS for 3 months after surgery while patients in the control group used only 0.3% sodium hyaluronate. Corneal staining score, tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), Schirmer test and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated before surgery and 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in visual acuity, spherical equivalent and corneal haziness between the 2 groups after surgery. Corneal staining score was significantly lower in the DQS group than in the control group 2 weeks after LASEK (p < 0.01) and increased in the control group after LASEK compared with the preoperative value (2 weeks after LASEK, p < 0.01), but decreased in the DQS group (12 and 16 weeks after LASEK, p < 0.05). TF-BUT was significantly higher in the DQS group than in the control group 2 to 16 weeks after LASEK (p < 0.01) and increased values were observed in the DQS group after LASEK compared with the preoperative value (4 to 16 weeks after LASEK, p < 0.05). The mean OSDI was significantly higher 4 to 16 weeks after LASEK in the control group than in the DQS group (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Subjective dry eye symptoms and objective markers were worse for 4 weeks after LASEK. The use of 3% DQS for 12 weeks after surgery improved these symptoms and markers with the effect lasting 16 weeks after LASEK.

Keyword

Diquafosol tetrasodium; Dry eye syndrome; LASEK; Refractive surgery

MeSH Terms

Dry Eye Syndromes
Humans
Hyaluronic Acid
Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted
Prospective Studies
Refractive Surgical Procedures
Tears
Visual Acuity
Hyaluronic Acid

Figure

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  Figure 1. Changes in visual acuity (A), Schirmer test (B), corneal staining score (C), tear film break-up time (D), ocular surface dis-ease index (E), and corneal haziness grade (F) in the 3% diquafosol tetrasodium and the control groups before and after LASEK. LASEK = laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy; Preop = preoperation. * p < 0.05 compared with preoperative value; † p < 0.05 between Diquafosol and control group.

Reference

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