Effectiveness of diclofenac eyedrops in reducing inflammation and the incidence of cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of diclofenac eyedrops in reducing inflammation and the incidence of angiographic cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.


METHODS
Eye Clinic, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.


METHODS
Eighty-eight patients having cataract extraction were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial: 42 were given diclofenac eyedrops and 46, placebo. Postoperative inflammation in both groups was graded for 6 months using a dedicated system.


RESULTS
Eight patients (9%) had evidence of angiographic CME approximately 1 month after surgery: seven of these were in the placebo group (P = .039). This difference was not significant 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The signs of ocular inflammation were greater in the eyes receiving placebo; the difference was particularly evident up to 1 week after surgery. There was no significant difference in visual acuity between the two groups at any follow-up point, but the contrast sensitivity of the eyes that received diclofenac improved significantly at 10.5 cycles per degree 1 month postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Diclofenac eyedrops effectively reduced ocular inflammation and the occurrence of angiographic CME after cataract surgery.
Rossetti
L
L
Clinica Oculistica Universitá di Milano, Istituto di Scienze Biomediche, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano, Italy.
Bujtar
E
E
Castoldi
D
D
Torrazza
C
C
Orzalesi
N
N
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac