Acular as a single agent for use as an antimiotic and anti-inflammatory incataract surgery

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of ketorolac tromethamine 0 .5% (Acular(R)) 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 preoper atively and postoperatively or flurbiprofen sodium (Ocufen(R)) preoperative ly and prednisolone acetate 1% (Pred Forte(R)) postoperatively. Time schedu led between procedures was from 2 weeks to 1 month. Pupil dilation was meas ured 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. Conclusion: Using Acular as a single agent was as effective as the combinat ion Of preoperative Ocufen and postoperative Pred Forte in preventing intra operative miosis and postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery. The us e of Acular as a single agent could save the expense of using separate anti -inflammatory and antimiotic preparations preoperatively and postoperativel y, enhancing convenience for the surgeon and surgical facility. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:1225-1227 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.