A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-MASKED TRIAL COMPARING KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE 0.5-PERCENT, DICLOFENAC SODIUM 0.1-PERCENT, AND PREDNISOLONE ACETATE 1-PERCENT IN REDUCING POST-PHACOEMULSIFICATION FLARE AND CELLS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of ketorolac trometh amine 0.5%, diclofenac sodium 0.1%, and prednisolone acetate 1% in red ucing flare and cells following cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS : Fifty-eight patients undergoing phacoemulsification with posterior c hamber intraocular lens implantation were randomly selected to receive either ketorolac tromethamine 0.5%, diclofenac sodium 0.1%, or predni solone acetate 1% following surgery. The treatment regimen was 1 drop 4 times a day for 1 week, then twice a day for the next 3 weeks. Flare , cells, and intraocular pressures (IOPs) were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 7, and 28. RESULTS: No statistically sig nificant differences in either actual flare or cell counts or in chang e in flare or cell counts from baseline were detected among the three groups. No statistically significant differences in IOP or in change o f IOP from preoperative measurements were detected. No medication-rela ted complications were noted at any time. CONCLUSION: Ketorolac tromet hamine 0.5% and diclofenac sodium 0.1% may be as effective and as safe as prednisolone acetate 1% in controlling inflammation following cata ract extraction.