Anti-inflammatory Medication of Cataract Surgery in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome – NSAID Is Needed

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background To optimize the anti-inflammatory treatment of cataract surgery in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) eyes. Methods A prospective randomized double-masked trial. Sixty eyes of 60 patients with PXF undergoing routine cataract surgery were randomized for potent topical postoperative anti-inflammatory medication either with prednisolone acetate (10mg/ml), nepafenac (1mg/ml) or their combination. Clinical outcome parameters were recorded at 28 days and 3 months. Recovery from surgery was recorded by a structured home questionnaire. Results Patient age and gender distribution, and all baseline ophthalmic and surgical parameters were comparable between the study groups. At 28 days, change in central subfield macular thickness was +11.4 ± 11.9 µm in prednisolone acetate group compared to +1.7 ± 16.8 µm in nepafenac (P = .017), and −0.3 ± 8.7 µm in combination therapy (P = .010) groups. At 3 months, the values were +11.8 ± 18.1 µm, +1.8 ± 17.5 µm (P = .055), and −1.3 ± 6.4 µm (P = .055), respectively. Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) was reported in two eyes, both with prednisolone acetate monotherapy. After surgery, conjunctival injection lasted 6.5 ± 5.0 days and irritation of the eye 9.5 ± 8.5 days in prednisolone acetate group compared with nepafenac (2.6 ± 2.2 days; P = .037 and 4.3 ± 5.2 days; P = NS, respectively) and combination therapy (3.3 ± 1.9 days; P = NS and 3.0 ± 4.0 days; P = .025, respectively). Conclusions Routine cataract surgery of PXF eyes with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) alone, or in combination with steroids resulted in faster recovery from surgery and avoidance of PCME compared to steroids alone. Abbreviations BAB: blood–aqueous barrier; CDVA: corrected distance visual acuity; CDE: cumulative dissipated energy; CSMT: central subfield macular thickness; HRQoL: Health-related quality of life; IOP: intraocular pressure; logMAR: log of the minimum angle of resolution; NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PCME: pseudophakic cystoid macular edema; PXF: pseudoexfoliation syndrome; OCT: optical coherence tomography; t.i.d.: three times a day; VA: visual acuity