Comparative evaluation of the antiinflammatory effect of topical 0.1% dexamethasone sodium and topical 1% prednisolone acetate eye drops after small incision cataract surgery in Indian eyes

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical 0.1% dexamethasone sodium and 1% prednisolone acetate after uneventful small incision cataract surgery (SICS)with in the bag posterior chamber intraocular lens( PCIOL) implantation in Indian eyes. Methods: 60 consecutive patients who underwent uneventful SICS with in the bag PCIOL implantation were randomly assigned to either of two study groups. Patients in both groups were similar in base line parameters. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of the two study drugs were compared by closely examining the operated eyes for inflammatory response and visual acuity. All the patients were followed up post operatively on day 1, day 2, day 7 and day 42nd and the severity of post inflammatory response was graded. Results: All results were correlated with final visual outcome, which showed that topical 1% prednisolone acetate is clinically and statistically more effective in early postoperative period than dexamethasone sodium to control the inflammation in uneventful SICS. Conclusion: The study showed that topical 1% prednisolone acetate is more effective than topical 0.1% dexamethasone sodium in controlling postoperative inflammation and in early visual rehabilitation in uneventful cataract surgeries in Indian eyes. However, the same cannot be said to be true in cases of cataract surgery with per operative complications.