Clinical Efficacy of Topical Diquafosol Tetrasodium after Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis

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.