Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of topical ketorolac
tromethamine 0.5% during scatter laser photocoagulation procedure in proliferative diabetic
retinopathy patients.
Methods: 60 eyes of 30 consecutive proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients were included
to this prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled study. One (1) h before laser treatment
session, ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% was instilled to 1 eye and artificial tear drop to
the fellow eye. Just after treatment, the patients were asked for the severity of pain in both
eyes. Visual analog scale was used to assess the level of pain.
Results: Mean pain level for placebo-instilled eyes was 4.88 ± 2.56 and ketorolac instilled
eyes were 4.45 ± 2.25. There was no significant difference for pain levels between placebo
and ketorolac-instilled eyes (P = 0.29).
Conclusions: Topical ketorolac tromethamine usage is no more effective than artificial tears
for pain relief during posterior segment laser procedures in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
patients.
