Acular as a single agent for use as an antimiotic and anti-inflammatory in cataract surgery.

Author(s): Snyder RW, Siekert RW, Schwiegerling J, Donnenfeld E, Thompson P

Affiliation(s): Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Arizona Health Science Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Publication date & source: 2000-08, J Cataract Refract Surg., 26(8):1225-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of ketorolac tromethamine 0. 5% (Acular) as a cost-efficient single agent to prevent intraoperative miosis and postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery. METHODS: Both eyes of 26 patients were randomized to receive Acular preoperatively and postoperatively or flurbiprofen sodium (Ocufen) preoperatively and prednisolone acetate 1% (Pred Forte) postoperatively. Time scheduled between procedures was from 2 weeks to 1 month. Pupil dilation was measured preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at the end of surgery. Cell and flare were measured 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: A comparison of the Acular and the Ocufen/Pred Forte groups (n=22) showed no statistically significant differences in dilation (preoperative versus postpostoperative) or cell and flare postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Using Acular as a single agent was as effective as the combination of preoperative Ocufen and postoperative Pred Forte in preventing intraoperative miosis and postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery. The use of Acular as a single agent could save the expense of using separate anti-inflammatory and antimiotic preparations preoperatively and postoperatively, enhancing convenience for the surgeon and surgical facility.