LASER FLARE MEASUREMENTS AFTER PHACOEMULS IFICATION AND LENS IMPLANTATION APPLYING 3 DIFFERENT NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS POSTOPERATIVELY

In a prospective, randomised, double-masked, parallel-group study we c ompared the antiinflammatory effect of diclofenac sodium 0.1%, flurbip rofen 0.03%, and indomethacin 1.0% ophthalmic suspension in 99 patient s undergoing phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantati on. The reduction in anterior chamber flare from day 1, as measured wi th the laser flare-meter (FM-500, KOWA) on day 4-5 postoperatively was significantly greater in the diclofenac group than with flurbiprofen (p = 0.022). Patients treated with diclofenac had significantly less b urning and stinging than patients on flurbiprofen and indomethacin on postoperative days 4-5 (p < 0.0001) and 12-14 (p = 0.001). Diclofenac sodium appears to be more potent than flurbiprofen in controlling intr aocular inflammation after cataract surgery, while having better local tolerance than flurbiprofen or indomethacin.