Topical nepafenac after intravitreal injection: a prospective double-masked randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if a single drop of nepafenac can reduce the ocular discomfort after intravitreal injections compared with placebo.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty patients undergoing intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab received a drop of nepafenac or placebo (Systane Ultra) after the injection in a prospective, double-masked, randomized controlled design. Patients rated their pain levels from 0 to 3 (no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, severe pain) at 1 hour, 6 hours, and 24 hours after the procedure.


RESULTS
Statistically significant reduction of postinjection pain with nepafenac was noted 6 hours after the injection when compared with placebo (0.8 ± 0.6 [standard deviation] vs. 1.3 ± 0.8, P < 0.001) with similar trends at 1 hour (1.1 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 0.7, P = 0.12) and 24 hours (0.3 ± 0.5 vs. 0.5 ± 0.6, P = 0.15).


CONCLUSIONS
A single drop of nepafenac is effective in reducing discomfort after intravitreal injections.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
J Niklas
JN
Ulrich
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044482:Benzeneacetamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D058447:Eye Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D044482:Benzeneacetamides; D010648:Phenylacetates; C414203:nepafenac