Prevention of surgically induced miosis by diclofenac eye drops

In this investigation, a rabbit model was used to study the effectiveness of topical diclofenac sodium in the prevention of miosis induced by manipulation of the ocular structures. In untreated rabbit eyes, paracentesis of the anterior chamber induced a 25% narrowing of the pupil. In atropine-treated rabbit eyes, the absolute pupil diameters were larger, but the pupil still contracted, resulting in a postoperative diameter of 6.5 mm. Pretreatment with diclofenac 0.1% eye drops effectively inhibited paracentesis-induced miosis; the postoperative pupil narrowing amounted to only 9% of the original diameter in both untreated and atropine-treated eyes. With a combined topical application of atropine and diclofenac, the mean pupil diameters after paracentesis were as large as 8.7 mm. Diclofenac seems to be a promising drug for the maintenance of mydriasis during eye surgery.