Dexamethasone versus diclofenac sodium eyedrops to treat inflammation after cataract surgery

Abstract

We compared the postoperative anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac sodium 0.1% and dexamethasone phosphate 0.1% in a prospective, randomized, double-masked pilot study. Anterior chamber inflammation was evaluated by measuring aqueous flare and cells with a laser flare-cell meter at one, three, 12, 30, and 60 days after cataract surgery. Flare values in the two groups did not significantly differ at any time, nor did aqueous cell counts at one, three, 12, and 60 days after surgery. At 30 days, however, cell count was significantly lower in the diclofenac group. Diclofenac sodium seems to be as potent as dexamethasone phosphate, as good as anti-inflammatory agent, and may replace corticosteroid therapy after cataract surgery.

Aqueous flare in patients with monocular iris atrophy and uveitis. A laser flare and iris angiography study

“…The reason why local steroids did not suppress the laser flare sufficiently may be that the dose was too low. The effect on flare of local steroid treatment after cataract surgery on otherwise normal eyes has been studied before (Othenin-Girard et al 1994;Shah & Spalton 1994). These authors found an almost exponential decline of the flare values after surgery back to the (normal) preoperative flare values.…”

Laser flare photometry and its use in uveitis

“…LFP has been used to detect changes in flare levels following various intraocular interventions [54][55][56][57][58][59] and to assess the effect of anti-inflammatory medications on postsurgical inflammation [60][61][62][63][64]. It has been shown that a foldable intraocular lens implantation through a small incision causes less inflammation than a rigid intraocular lens implantation through a larger incision [65].…”

“…LFP studies have shown that topical diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is as effective as topical dexamethasone [60][61][62] and more effective than fluorometholone [63] or betamethasone [64] in preventing disruption of blood-aqueous barrier following intraocular surgery.…”

Topical 0.1% Indomethacin Solution versus Topical 0.1% Dexamethasone Solution in the Prevention of Inflammation after Cataract Surgery

“…Diclofenac 0.1% eyedrops appeared to be as effective as dexamethasone 0.1% eyedrops in reducing inflammation after cataract-IOL surgery [9, 10]. Other studies have indicated the anti-inflammatory activity of diclofenac 0.1% ophthalmic solution to be comparable to prednisolone acetate 1.0% ophthalmic suspension [11, 12].…”