Preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% for vernal keratoconjunctivitis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of prolonged treatment with preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). A prospective open study was performed in 22 patients with VKC treated with preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops. Patients used the eye drops four times daily in both eyes for 120 days. Signs (papillae, hyperaemia and corneal lesions) and symptoms (itching, redness and photophobia) of the ocular surface were graded and statistically evaluated before and after treatment by a non-parametric test (Mann–Whitney U-test). Forty per cent of the patients showed an improvement in their symptoms at the end of the treatment. Total signs and symptoms scores were significantly decreased at the end of treatment compared with the baseline values (from 6.13±1.45 to 0.81±0.90 and from 5.40±1.18 to 2.63±0.95, respectively; P