Efficacy of preoperative versus postoperative ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in reducing inflammation after cataract surgery

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of 30 minute preoperative versus 1 day pos toperative administration of ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% ophthalmic solutio n (Acular(R)) in reducing anterior chamber inflammation after cataract surg ery. Setting: The Hermann Eye Center, The University of Texas Health Science Cen ter-Houston, Texas, USA. Methods: Fifty eyes of 48 consecutive patients scheduled for phacoemulsific ation with intraocular lens implantation were included. Before surgery, pat ients were randomly assigned to start the study drug 30 minutes preoperativ ely or 1 day postoperatively. No other antiinflammatory agents were used in traoperatively or postoperatively. Main outcome measures were flare and cel l counts. Results: Preoperative and postoperative flare and cell counts did not diffe r significantly between the 2 treatment groups at any time. Both groups sho wed significant increases in flare (P =.0001) and cells (P =.0001) 1 day po stoperatively. Flare and cells returned to baseline levels by day 28 in bot h groups. There was no significant difference at any time between the 2 gro ups in the change from the preoperative level of inflammation. Conclusion: There was no difference between administering ketorolac 30 minu tes preoperatively versus 1 day postoperatively in reducing inflammation. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26: 1626-1630 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.