Efficacy of topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% for control of pain or discomfort associated with cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of ketorolac 0.4% ophthalmic solution for control of pain and discomfort associated with cataract surgery.


METHODS
This was a single-center, double-masked, randomized, fellow-eye placebo-controlled clinical study of 25 patients (mean age 72 years; 76% female) requiring bilateral cataract surgery. Patients received either ketorolac tromethamine 0.4% ophthalmic solution (Acular LS *) or placebo, 1 drop QID for 3 days prior to and 1 day following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation on their first eye, and the other treatment for surgery on the second, fellow eye 1 week-4 weeks later. The physician rated patient cooperation and ocular pain or discomfort during surgery, and patients rated ocular pain or discomfort immediately and 24 h after surgery.


RESULTS
Patients reported significantly less ocular pain during the 24 h following surgery when treated with ketorolac 0.4% than with placebo (p = 0.02). Ocular pain was reported for only a single ketorolac 0.4%-treated eye (4%) during that period, compared with 39% of placebo-treated eyes (p = 0.004). No significant differences between eyes treated with ketorolac 0.4% and placebo were observed in patient cooperation, and ocular pain or discomfort during or immediately after surgery. No adverse events occurred during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of pain is subjective, and the severity of pain experienced in the control, vehicle-treated eyes was low.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction in pain associated with cataract surgery afforded by ophthalmic ketorolac 0.4%, together with its favorable safety profile, make it an important tool to help surgeons meet the high expectations of today's cataract and refractive surgery patients.
Price
Marianne O
MO
Cornea Research Foundation of America, and the Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, IN, USA. fprice@pricevisiongroup.net
Price
Francis W
FW
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020911:Ketorolac Tromethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010919:Placebos; D020911:Ketorolac Tromethamine