Commentary

Superficial corneal abrasions not associated with contact lens use generally resolve spontaneously without complications. They may cause disability due to pain during the first 24–48 hours following the injury, and it is because of pain that these patients are as likely to present to emergency rooms or other acute care settings as they are to ophthalmologists for treatment.

The review by Weaver et al of the evidence supporting the use of topical ophthalmic NSAIDS for corneal abrasions is an update on a previously published review.¹ It closely follows the methodology of a systematic review but stops short of independent selection and assessment of studies and of statistical pooling of results.² Weaver et al’s well described search protocol did not include EMBASE/Excerpta medica and, perhaps more importantly, did not attempt to locate unpublished proprietary studies that might exist and have observed negative results.

The 5 RCTs included in their review were done in ophthalmological and other acute care settings including emergency departments. 2 failed to report the use of analgesics other than the study medication, of which 1 also failed to report the absolute magnitude of the observed benefit. Although all 5 RCTs reported some degree of pain reduction within 24 hours of presentation, the clinical significance was unclear. Only 1 study reported an earlier return to work among patients receiving topical NSAIDS. Adverse effects were apparently minimal. The cost of these agents is variable and generic preparations exist.¹ Until more definitive evidence is available, clinicians may choose to offer these agents primarily to patients for whom loss of a single day of work would be particularly inconvenient.