Effect of prostaglandin-inhibitor naproxen on the corneal swelling response to hydrogel contact lens wear

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that the prostaglandin-inhibitor naproxen can reduce post-surgical corneal oedema, which is largely due to an inflammatory process. To determine whether there is an inflammatory component in the oedematous response of the cornea to contact lens wear, we conducted a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study on the effect of naproxen on contact lens-induced corneal swelling. This drug did not have a significant effect, suggesting that prostaglandins are not involved in the hypoxic oedema response. The discrepancy between the effect of naproxen on lens- and surgically-induced corneal oedema can be attributed to the different aetiologies of these oedema responses.