Abstract
Purpose:
To explore the clinical characteristics of loteprednol 0.5% in the early postoperative period after uncomplicated phacoemulsification by a single surgeon including average ETDRS acuities, cell/flare scores and intraocular pressure readings.
Methods:
38 consecutive patients meeting entry criteria underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification with lens implantation by a single surgeon. Patients were given loteprednol 0.5% qid for 21 days following surgery. Participants were given topical moxifloxacin tid 3 days prior to surgery and received moxifloxiacin tid for 10 days following surgery, loteprednol 0.5% qid and bromday qd for 21 days following surgery. At each time point, pain was self-reported, acuities were measured by ETDRS, inflammation was measured by slit lamp exam and IOPs were measured by applananation. Dilated fundus exams were performed at baseline and POD42.
Results:
The average age of enrolled subjects was 68.2 All eyes were Caucasian except 2 HIspanic and 2 African American. Average baseline letters read were 76 and average iop was 14.5 mm Hg. At POD1, letters read were stable at 75, pain was measured at 0.1 (0-4 0=no symptoms), k edema 0.4, conjunctival injection and chemosis 0.3, cell 1.4, flare 1 and average iop 17. POD7 letters were 81, pain and inflammation were improved, cell 0.5, flare 0.2, iop 14. POD21 letters were 82, minimal inflammation, cell 0.4 and flare 0.2, average 12.4, 19/38 subjects have completed the study, letters read at final visit were 81.6, with no pain, k edema, conjunctival injection, chemosis. Cell was 0.3 and flare 0.1. Average IOP was 10.9.
Conclusions:
Loteprednol 0.5% used qid after uncomplicated phacoemulsification in conjunction with bromfenac qd is a safe and effective method to control post surgical inflammation and pain. With the exception of one significant spike, Iops increases following cataract surgery were low and consistent with known data for steroids. Data collection in this study is ongoing and the completed data set will be reported at presentation.
Keywords: 421 anterior segment •
462 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications