Topical diclofenac sodium for treatment of postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug as an alternative to topical steroids for postoperative control of inflammation in cataract surgery.


METHODS
The effect of diclofenac sodium 0.1% following cataract surgery was studied and compared to routine corticosteroid, dexamethasone phosphate 1% in a prospective, double-blind randomized study. Both groups were similar in baseline parameters. Postoperative inflammatory response, intraocular pressure and best-corrected visual acuity following standard extracapsular cataract extraction were assessed in both groups in the initial 21 days and the severity of these parameters was graded. The severity of postoperative inflammatory response to the two drugs was graded at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Intraocular pressure and visual acuity at baseline and endpoint were compared and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
The two groups did not differ statistically in treatment effect for any of the variables including aqueous cells, flare, ciliary congestion, Descemet's folds, visual acuity and intraocular pressure (p < 0.001). However there seemed to be a trend towards quicker improvement with corticosteroid when cells in the anterior chamber were considered. There were no side effects from topical diclofenac, and it was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Diclofenac sodium is as effective as topical corticosteroid and can be used as an alternative in routine postoperative treatment following uncomplicated cataract surgery.
Reddy
M S
MS
Dept. of Ophthalmology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore-560 034, India. manjoo@bg1.vsnl.net.in
Suneetha
N
N
Thomas
R K
RK
Battu
R R
RR
D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004008:Diclofenac; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D003907:Dexamethasone