DICLOFENAC-GENTAMICIN COMBINATION EYE DROPS VS DICLOFENAC EYE DROPS AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of diclofenac-gentamicin combination eye drops with that of diclofena c eye drops in the postoperative management of patients undergoing ext racapsular cataract surgery and lens implantation. This was a prospect ive, randomised, investigator-masked, parallel-group, 4-week, multicen tre study with patient visits preoperatively, on the day of surgery an d postoperatively on days 1, 5 to 8, 12 to 16, and 26 to 32. A total o f 295 patients (146 diclofenac-gentamicin, 149 diclofenac) were enroll ed and randomised in the study. The two treatment groups were similar at baseline. The magnitude of intraocular inflammation, as assessed by the sum of the grades of anterior chamber flare and cells, reduced ma rkedly in both the study groups with no statistically significant diff erence between the two groups at any postoperative visit (days 5 to 8, p = 0.91; days 12 to 16, p = 0.79; and days 26 to 32, p = 0.56). Ther e was no statistically significant difference between the diclofenac-g entamicin and diclofenac groups in the global assessment of local tole rance, as assessed by the sum of grades of burning/stinging and blurre d vision, at any of the postoperative visits. In conclusion, diclofena c-gentamicin eye drops were as effective as diclofenac eye drops and a ppeared to be acceptably tolerated in the control of post-cataract sur gery inflammation.