Diclofenac 0.1% Eye Drop Use and Frequency
For cataract surgery, diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops should be applied to the affected eye 4 times daily beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing through the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period. 1
Recommended Dosing by Indication
Post-Cataract Surgery
- Apply one drop to the affected eye 4 times daily
- Begin 24 hours after surgery
- Continue for 2 weeks postoperatively 1
Corneal Refractive Surgery
- Apply 1-2 drops to the operative eye within one hour before surgery
- Apply 1-2 drops within 15 minutes after surgery
- Continue 4 times daily for up to 3 days 1
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
- Apply one drop 4 times daily to both eyes
- Treatment may be continued for extended periods (up to 120 days) for chronic inflammatory conditions 2
Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Apply one drop 4 times daily while awake
- Treatment course typically lasts 14 days 3
Clinical Efficacy
Diclofenac sodium 0.1% ophthalmic solution has demonstrated significant efficacy in:
- Controlling post-surgical inflammation after cataract surgery 1, 4
- Reducing pain, photophobia, and foreign-body sensation after radial keratotomy 5
- Managing symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis with significant reductions in conjunctival redness, itching, and photophobia 2
- Treating seasonal allergic conjunctivitis with comparable efficacy to ketorolac 0.5% 3
Important Considerations
Advantages
- Preservative-free formulations may be better tolerated in prolonged treatment regimens 2
- Fixed-dose combinations with antibiotics (e.g., 0.1% diclofenac plus 0.3% tobramycin) are available for post-surgical inflammation control 4
Precautions
- As with other NSAIDs, monitor for:
- Corneal epithelial toxicity with prolonged use
- Delayed wound healing
- Increased bleeding tendency in ocular tissues
Administration Pearls
- Shake well before using
- Wait at least 5 minutes between different eye medications
- Apply gentle pressure to the lacrimal sac for 1 minute after instillation to minimize systemic absorption
- Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface to prevent contamination
The FDA-approved dosing regimens provide clear guidance for the most common indications, with the frequency of administration (4 times daily) being consistent across most conditions, while the duration varies based on the specific indication.