Diclofenac and enolicam as ocular anti-inflammatory drugs in rabbit corneal wound model

The anti-inflammatory effects of two nonsteroidal agents, enolicam and diclofenac, were assessed in rabbit corneal wound model. Topically applied diclofenac (50 microliter volume) at 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5% concentrations inhibited the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) release into tear fluid following partial (6 mm central area) corneal deepithelialization in rabbits. Similarly, enolicam also inhibited this PMN response following corneal injury. Topical diclofenac was found to be more potent than topical enolicam in inhibiting the inflammatory PMN response following partial corneal injury. Both drugs did not affect the rate of reepithelialization following complete (limbal to limbal) corneal deepithelialization.