Topical flurbiprofen or prednisolone. Effect on corneal wound healing in rabbits.

Flurbiprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) agent currently undergoing clinical investigation. Anti-inflammatory steroids have long been known to delay the healing of corneal stromal wounds. This was designed to compare the effects of equipotent anti-inflammatory doses of flurbiprofen and of prednisolone acetate on the inflammation and the healing (as measured by the wound bursting pressure) or 4-mm through-and-through incisions treated four times a day for ten postoperative days. The results suggest that flurbiprofen and prednisolone are not different in their effect on both postoperative inflammation and postoperative wound healing. Since NSAI agents and steroids inhibit prostaglandin formation at different enzymatic steps, it is possible that prostaglandins not only are responsible for postoperative inflammation but also are required for postoperative wound healing.