Persistent corneal epithelial defects following keratoplasty and instillation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent

Five eyes manifested persistent corneal epithelial defects for 2 weeks or longer after penetrating keratoplasty. All the eyes had been under treatment with 0.1% sodium diclofenac ophthalmic solution, a nonsteroidal anti inflammatory agent. None of these cases showed abnormal epithelium of the cornea or the conjunctiva preoperatively, strongly suggesting the association of eyedrops and persistent epithelial detects. The detects were epithelialized in 15 to 34 days after treatment with patching, bandage soft contact lens wear or instillation of hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solution. The use of sodium diclofenac solution is to be discouraged to patients with susceptible corneal epithelium including postkeratoplasty period.