A clinical comparison of two different prednisolone acetate formulations in patients undergoing cataract surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two topical steroid prednisolone preparations (Econopred Plus 1%, prednisolone acetate 1%: EPP; Pred Forte 1%, prednisolone acetate 1%: PF) in reducing postoperative inflammation in cataract patients.* Econopred Plus and Systane are registered trademarks of Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX† Pred Forte is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CAMethods: This was a 4 week, randomized, parallel-group, single-center, active-controlled study. One group of patients received postoperative topical EPP while the other group received postoperative topical PF. Both medications were dosed 4 times per day for 14 days and then BID until the container was empty. Both groups of patients received diclofenac sodium QID for 14 days and hydroxypropyl guar (HP-Guar, Systane) QID for 7 days then PRN (or as directed). The presence of corneal surface keratitis, anterior chamber cells and flare (scales 0–3 for keratitis, 0–5 for cells and 0–4 for flare; 0 = none) was evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy.Results: EPP produced significantly lower (P < 0.05) anterior chamber flare scores 14 days following surgery (mean ± SD: 0.86 ± 0.53) than PF (1.08 ± 0.40). Otherwise, there were no differences observed between the 2 treatments with respect to keratitis, anterior chamber flare or cells at postop days 1, 7, or 28.Conclusions: This comparative trial demonstrated that both formulations of prednisolone acetate 1% have similar efficacy in the treatment of postoperative ophthalmologic inflammation.