Topical Diclofenac Gel for the Management of Periocular Actinic Keratosis

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the efficacy of topical 3% diclofenac gel in the management of periocular actinic keratosis. Methods: Four consecutive patients with periocular actinic keratosis who were treated with topical 3% diclofenac gel twice daily for up to 4 months were included in the study. Patients were reviewed at 1 and 2 months and then as clinically required up to 13 months after treatment. Results: All 4 patients had biopsy-proven actinic keratosis. Three of the 4 patients tolerated the therapy well. In 1 patient, an adverse reaction developed, with erythema, crusting, and scaling after 2 months of therapy, which resolved within a month of discontinuing topical diclofenac. In all the patients, a visible decrease in lesion severity was seen after 1 month, and complete resolution, within 4 months. Recurrences occurred in 2 patients at 4 months and 7 months after treatment. These were successfully managed, in one patient, by excision, and in the other, with further 3% diclofenac gel followed by cryotherapy. Conclusion: The use of 3% diclofenac gel in extraocular sites has been widely described in the dermatology literature. However, no published reports exist of its use in ophthalmology. It may be a useful therapeutic option when used alone in patients with localized disease or to reduce the size of larger, more-diffuse lesions before excision or cryotherapy, leading to improved cosmesis. Furthermore, it may also be useful in patients prone to actinic keratoses, such as organ-transplant recipients, to reduce the need for multiple excision procedures or uncomfortable ablative techniques.