COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF DICLOFENAC AND BETAMETHASONE FOLLOWING STRABISMUS SURGERY

Aims-To compare the relative antiinflammatory potency and safety of to pical diclofenac-gentamicin with betamethasone-neomycin following stra bismus surgery. Methods-A single centre, single observer, prospective, randomised, and double masked clinical trial of 25 children undergoin g bilateral symmetrical horizontal strabismus surgery was carried out. One eye received diclofenac-gentamicin and the contralateral eye rece ived betamethasone-neomycin; both treatments were instilled four times a day for 4 weeks postoperatively. Ocular inflammation was assessed a t 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively, objectively by comparison with a phot ographic chart and subjectively by questionnaire. Results-There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of resolution of the inflammatory response between each group at both visits. Conclusion-D iclofenac appears to be as effective as betamethasone in controlling p ostoperative inflammation following strabismus surgery and may offer a safer alternative to the use of topical steroids.