Comparison of anti-inflammatory effects of eye drops formulations after uncomplicated cataract surgery

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of different dexamethasone eye drops formulations in controlling postoperative inflammation.Methods: Cataract surgery was carried out in 72 patients (35 males) divided into two groups: group A (36 patients, mean age=78.05.6) received four times daily for 2 weeks a suspension containing tobramycin 0.3% mg/ml+dexamethasone 0.1% mg/ml, and group B (36 patients, mean age=76.26.8) a solution containing tobramycin 0.3% mg/ml+dexamethasone 0.1% mg/ml. Both groups received ofloxacin 0.5% four times daily for 7 days, and nepafenac 0.1% three times daily for 3 weeks. Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, endothelial cells count, aqueous flare and macular thickness were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 day, 15 days, 1 and 2 months.Results: In group A, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and aqueous humour flare values preoperatively and at the end of follow-up were 14.3 +/- 1.8 and 13.2 +/- 1.8 mmHg, 546.4 +/- 34.6 and 539.6 +/- 36.1 mu m, 11.84 +/- 4.44 and 13.52 +/- 5.54 ph/ms, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. In group B, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and aqueous humour flare values preoperatively and at the end of follow-up were 14.3 +/- 1.5 and 13.1 +/- 1.7 mmHg, 552.9 +/- 37.4 and 548.1 +/- 39.3 mu m, 11.45 +/- 4.06 and 13.73 +/- 4.99 ph/ms, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. No difference was detected in the macular thickness values in the parafoveal area preoperatively and at 2 months follow-up in group A (332.18 +/- 16.19 and 337.71 +/- 16.33 mu m) and group B (329.11 +/- 18.28 and 334.37 +/- 20.86 mu m), respectively.Conclusion: The two different formulations of dexamethasone eye drops reached the same anti-inflammatory effects.