Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety, effectiveness and compliance of Bronuck (bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution 0.1%) following LASEK in comparison with glucocorticoids. METHODS In this prospective trial, 60 patients (120 eyes) undergoing LASEK were randomized into the bromfenac sodium group (60 eyes) and control group (60 eyes). Patients in both groups initially received dexamethasone 0.1% four times a day after LASEK for 7 days, and then the patients in the bromfenac sodium group were given Bronuck twice a day for the next 11 weeks, while the patients from the control group were given fluorometholone 0.1% with gradually decreased doses during the same period. Results of the routine examinations done before and 3, 10, 30, 90 and 180 days after LASEK were recorded, including uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal topography, ocular symptoms and signs, which were used for comparison between the two groups. All data of right eyes were analyzed for their independence, normality and homogeneity of variance. Independent samples t-test or non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was performed accordingly. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in IOP and corneal topography (K1, K2, SAI, SRI and CY) between the two groups postoperatively. The IOP was (16.33 ± 6.21) mmHg(1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), (15.67 ± 2.82) mmHg, (15.35 ± 2.22) mmHg and (13.10 ± 3.41) mmHg in the bromfenac sodium group, and (16.87 ± 3.68) mmHg, (14.05 ± 2.23) mmHg, (14.39 ± 2.22) mmHg and (13.18 ± 2.49) mmHg in the control group at 10, 30, 90 and 180 days, respectively. The bromfenac sodium group showed significantly better uncorrected visual acuity (5.16 ± 0.08) than the control group (5.02 ± 0.09) on day 30 (t = 2.32, P < 0.05). In the bromfenac sodium group, four eyes had visual fatigue, and four eyes had dry eye symptoms on day 180. Epithelial flaps were all well positioned with satisfying healing process. Each group had one case (two eyes) of haze on day 30, and the bromfenac sodium group had another case (2 eyes) of new-onset haze on day 60. But all the cases of haze were graded 0.5 according to the Fantes Standard, too mild to compromise their visual acuities, and were resolved after frequent topical medication for 1 month. Four patients from the control group were prescribed antiglaucoma medications due to elevated IOP. The refractive status remained stable for patients from both groups. CONCLUSIONS Administration of Bronuck can reduce the amount of or partially substitute for corticosteroids. Mild haze early after LASEK may disappear after intensive treatment.
