The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on inflammatory cystoid macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of inflammatory cystoid macular edema (iCME).


METHODS
Pilot study.


METHODS
We included 66 patients with iCME and treated them with naproxen (2 x 250 mg daily; n = 28) or rofecoxib (1 x 25 mg daily; n = 38). After 4 months of therapy, visual acuity and inflammation activity were measured. We evaluated the grade of CME, retinal vasculitis, and papillary leakage with fluorescein angiography.


RESULTS
No clear effect of NSAIDs on iCME, visual acuity, and intraocular inflammation was observed. A beneficial effect was noted in less than 8% of the affected eyes. The drop-out rate after 4 months of treatment was 52%, because of adverse effects or inefficacy of the treatment. Improvement of visual acuity was slightly better in patients who were treated with naproxen compared with rofecoxib (P < or = .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic NSAIDs have a limited role (if any) in the treatment of iCME.
van Kooij
Bram
B
Department of Ophthalmology, F.C. Donders Institute of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.vankooij@oogh.azu.nl
De Boer
Joke
J
Ten Dam
Ninette
N
Fijnheer
Rob
R
Rothova
Aniki
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D009288:Naproxen