ABSTRACT
To evaluate the analgesic effect of topical sodium diclofenac 0.1% during pan-retinal photocoagulation [PRP] in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy [PDR]. 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. 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. Using topical sodium diclofenac 0.1% before PRP in patients with PDR is a useful method for pain reduction