Efficacy of substance P and insulin-like growth factor-1 peptides for preventing postsurgical superficial punctate keratopathy in diabetic patients

The efficacy of eyedrops containing peptides based on substance P (FGLM-amide) and insulinlike growth factor-1 (SSSR) for prevention of superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) after cataract surgery in individuals with type 2 diabetes was examined. Twenty-nine patients (29 eyes) with diabetes were enrolled in a double-masked, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups that received eyedrops containing either FGLM-amide and SSSR (n = 14) or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 15) four times a day for 14 days starting 1 day after phacoemulsification. SPK scores (area, density, and combined area and density) were determined before as well as 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery as main outcome measures. SPK scores did not differ between the two groups before surgery or before initiation of treatment. At day 2 after treatment initiation, all SPK scores were significantly lower in the FGLM-amide/SSSR group than in the control group. The density score was also significantly lower in the former group at day 7 after surgery. All scores returned to preoperative levels by day 14 after surgery in both groups. Eyedrops containing FGLM-amide and SSSR were effective for the prevention of SPK after cataract surgery in diabetic patients.