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NSAIDS may be safer than widely believed in patients with MGD
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CHICAGO – While caution is still suggested, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may safely decrease inflammation and corneal sensation in patients with dry eye, according to a study presented here.
“Topical, branded NSAIDs may be safe to use in evaporative dry eye syndrome patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. [However,] patients have to be selected carefully and followed diligently. They should be instructed about adverse events and told to call immediately,” Rolando Toyos, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Dr. Toyos and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of 73 patients with dry eye syndrome who had a tear break-up time of 6 seconds or less and used NSAIDs for at least 3 months.
Five patients terminated medication use early, but no cases of corneal melt or keratitis were reported, and more than 90% of remaining patients stated that NSAIDS lessened their symptoms of dry eye. Additionally, 10 patients with prior corneal surgery reported no issues.
Newer NSAIDs are not demonstrating the same safety problems as their older counterparts, and even older drugs were only suggested unsafe in a few published cases, Dr. Toyos said. Moreover, he noted that long-term use of topical steroids is associated with severe complications like cataract and glaucoma.
Disclosure: Dr. Toyos is a consultant for Alcon and Ista.