Comparison of topical 0.7% dexamethasone-cyclodextrin with 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate for postcataract inflammation.
BACKGROUND
To compare 0.7% dexamethasone-cyclodextrin aqueous eye drop solution applied once daily with 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate eye drops applied three times a day for the control of postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery.


METHODS
Twenty cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were randomly divided into two postoperative treatment groups. Postoperative medication in group I included 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate eye drops three times daily and in group II 0.7% dexamethasone-cyclodextrin eye drop solution once daily. Testing of visual acuity, biomicroscopic examination, applanation tonometry and laser flare cell meter (LFCM) examination were carried out before operation and days 1, 3, 7 and 21 after surgery.


RESULTS
Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, aqueous flare and cells in biomicroscopic examination, and the mean intraocular pressure did not show any statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. LFCM examination showed that the mean postoperative photon count values (P=0.032) and the median cell count values on the 1st (P=0.014), 3rd (P=0.031), 7th (P=0.034), and 21st (P=0.0097) postoperative days in group I were more elevated than in group II.


CONCLUSIONS
0.7% dexamethasone-cyclodextrin eye drops applied once daily is a more effective postoperative anti-inflammatory medication than 0.1% dexamethasone sodium phosphate applied three times a day. In both groups, 3 weeks after the operation the mean visual acuity was normal and intraocular pressure significantly lower than before operation. The use of 0.7% dexamethasone-cyclodextrin eye drops may be useful especially in elderly people who cannot apply themselves the eye drops onto the eye.
Saari
K Matti
KM
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520, Turku, Finland. kmsaari@utu.fi
Nelimarkka
Laura
L
Ahola
Virpi
V
Loftsson
Thorsteinn
T
Stefánsson
Einar
E
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; C100693:dexamethasone-beta-cyclodextrin; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D003907:Dexamethasone