Diclofenac eye drops are used to ease pain, redness, swelling, and light sensitivity after certain types of eye surgery. It's typically applied to the affect eye(s), typically four times a day. Some of the more common side effects of diclofenac eye drops include temporary stinging and burning. This medication is only available as a generic.
Pain, swelling, and redness (inflammation) in the eye after cataract surgery
Pain or light sensitivity in the eye after corneal surgery
Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It stops your body from making chemicals that cause pain, swelling, and redness in the eye.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
itching skin
Less common
Blood in the urine
dry, itching, or burning eyes
headaches, including migraines
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
redness of the skin
redness or swelling of the eyes
runny or stuffy nose
skin rash other than at the application site
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
ulcers or sores on the skin, other than at the application site
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Chills
general feeling of discomfort or illness
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
scaly, thick, or tingling skin
shivering
sweating
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
back pain
belching
bleeding skin
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
dizziness
increase in body movements
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
loss of or change in taste
loss or thinning of the hair
neck pain
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach upset or pain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Works well for eye pain, swelling, and redness
Causes fewer serious side effects than oral diclofenac
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Inconvenient to use because it's typically applied 4 times a day
Can cause temporary stinging or burning after using
Can put you at higher risk for eye damage, especially if you have certain medical conditions, like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
Wash your hands before putting diclofenac eye drops in your eyes. Don't touch the dropper tip with your eye, hands, or any other surface. This will help keep your bottle clean and prevent eye infections.
Use diclofenac eye drops exactly as prescribed. Using the drops longer or more often than what's prescribed can put you at higher risk for side effects, such as damage to your eyes.
After placing a drop of medication in your eye, without squeezing your eyes shut, close them gently for 2 to 3 minutes with your head tilted downward. Then, press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by your nose. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the medication.
If you need to put two diclofenac eye drops or use two different eye medications in the same eye, wait 5 minutes between each drop. If you put in the second drop too soon, it can flush out the first drop and you won't get the full dose of the medication.
Don't wear soft contacts while using diclofenac eye drops because you might experience eye-related side effects. Ask your provider when it's safe for you to start wearing contact lenses again.
If you're pregnant, check with your provider before using diclofenac eye drops. This medication isn't recommended for use during pregnancy because it wasn't studied in human pregnancy.
Diclofenac eye drops can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Using other medications that raise your risk of bleeding
Although rare, diclofenac eye drops can put you at risk for bleeds after eye surgery. Let your provider know if you have a history of bleeding problems or if you take any medications that can make you more likely to bleed, such as blood thinners. Call your provider if you notice blood spots on your eye, especially if you just had eye surgery.
Risk factors: Using corticosteroid eye drops
If you have any type of eye injury, diclofenac eye drops can slow down the healing process, especially if you're also using corticosteroid eye drops, such as prednisolone (Pred Forte) or dexamethasone (Maxidex). If you just had eye surgery, discuss with your provider which eye drops are most appropriate for you.
Risk factors: History of problems with the cornea or surface of the eye | Multiple eye surgeries | Rheumatoid arthritis | Diabetes | Using diclofenac eye drops for more than 24 hours before surgery or 14 days after surgery
Diclofenac eye drops can cause redness, swelling, weakening, or injury to the cornea. The cornea is the clear, protective layer at the front of the eye. Cornea problems can seriously affect your eyesight, and they might cause blindness. Let your provider know if you have a history of any type of cornea problems or if you're having multiple eye surgeries. Certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, can put you at higher risk for cornea damage. Make sure you're getting regular eye check-ups while you're using diclofenac eye drops. Contact your provider immediately if you notice changes in your vision, or experience more eye pain or discomfort.
Don't wear soft contacts while using diclofenac eye drops because doing so can lead to eye-related side effects. After surgery, your provider will let you know when it's safe to wear soft contacts again.
Pain, swelling, and redness after cataract surgery: The typical dose is to place 1 drop into the affected eye(s) four times daily. Start 24 hours after surgery and continue for 2 weeks.
Pain or light sensitivity after corneal surgery: The typical dose is to place 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye(s) within an hour before surgery, then again within 15 minutes after surgery. Continue to place 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye(s) four times daily for up to 3 days.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Pain, swelling, and redness (inflammation) in the eye after cataract surgery
Pain or light sensitivity in the eye after corneal surgery
Relief of pain or inflammation after cornea refractive surgery in people ages 3 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular LS) 0.4% only
Relief of pain or inflammation after cataract removal in people ages 2 years and older- Ketorolac (Acuvail) 0.45% and ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only
Itchy eyes due to allergies in people ages 2 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only
Eye pain and eye inflammation after cataract surgery in adults
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Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2022). Diclofenac- diclofenac sodium solution/drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
Hoffman, R. S., et al. (2016). Cataract surgery and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.
Szucs, P. A., et al. (2000). Safety and efficacy of diclofenac ophthalmic solution in the treatment of corneal abrasions. Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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