Effect of topical flurbiprofen on trabeculectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of topical flurbiprofen, in addition to our ususal topical postoperative medications (prednisolone 1%, phenylephrine 2.5%, atropine 1%, and gentamycin 0.3%), on the outcome of trabeculectomy was assessed in a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized study of 49 eyes. Mean postoperative follow-up was 42 weeks (range, 4-52 weeks).


RESULTS
Intraocular pressure was higher in the flurbiprofen (Ocufen, Allergan Pharmaceuticals) treated eyes than in the placebo control eyes, but they are not significantly different (15.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 12.8 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, p = 0.20, mean +/- SE). Similar results were observed for visual acuity using the Log-MAR scale (-0.45 +/- 0.06 vs. -0.52 +/- 0.07, p = 0.42, mean +/- SE). For both visual acuity and intraocular pressure, the flubiprofen effect did not change significantly with the follow-up period. There were more encapsulated filtering blebs in flurbiprofen-treated eyes (11/24 eyes, 46%) than in eyes treated with the artificial tear placebo (5/25 eyes, 20%), though the difference was only marginally significant (p = 0.058). No other differences in adverse effects were noted between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that there is no benefit of using postoperative flurbiprofen following initial trabeculectomy surgery.
Cantor
L B
LB
Department of Ophthalmology * Department of Biostatistics. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.
Phillips
C A
CA
Kramer
D
D
Boeglin
R J
RJ
Manatunga
A
A
Holleman
E
E