Evaluation of spatial contrast sensitivity after the instillation of diclofenac eye drops

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To evaluate if diclofenac eye drop instillation is related with spatial contrast sensitivity (CS) impairment. Methods Thirty ophthalmologically healthy Caucasian individuals (‐‐male, ‐‐female), aged from 20 to 59 underwent CS testing. The examination was repeated 20 and 40 minutes after the instillation of diclofenac eye drops unilaterally. The fellow eye served as control. Results All the examined individuals had normal visual acuity, color vision and CS before the diclofenac drop instillation. Four of them complained of a temporary glare at the eye in which diclofenac was instilled. These four individuals had decreased CS in low spatial frequencies (1.5 & 3 cycles/degree), in the examination performed 20 minutes after the instillation. The CS normalized again in the third CS evaluation performed 40 minutes after the instillation. Conclusion The temporary glare that affects visual performance of some individuals after diclofenac eye drop instillation is related with a temporary decrease of spatial CS in low frequencies. Within this time period of 40 minutes after the instillation of diclofenac, individuals who experience visual disturbances should avoid activities that demand high visual efficacy or postpone the instillation for a more convenient time in relation to the duration of glare they have experienced.