Comparative Study between Topical Steroidal and Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in The Control

More than 40 years following their introduction into ocular therapy, steroids remain frequently used agents for control of severe anterior inflammation after cataract surgery.Unfortunately, local used corticosteroids have many side effects mainly delayed wound healing and reduced resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infection. They may also raise the intraocular pressure and may produce cataract.For all the above side effects we are looking now for anti-inflammatory agents that give the benefits of corticosteroids therapy and avoiding its harmful side effects.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents is a potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase pathway which is involved in the first step of prostaglandins synthesis. The drug reduces inflammation and maintains the blood aqueous barrier.In this study, diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops, ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% eye drops as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group compared to dexamethasone suspension 0.1% eye drops as steroidal anti-inflammatory group in cataract surgery.Our study included 3 groups of patients each of which include 40 patients, group A, B and C which received dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops, ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% eye drops and diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops respectively. Each groups were searched for flare, cells, IOP and corneal thickness.Diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops gave the same results as ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% eye drops in treatment of post-operative inflammation and both gave nearly the same potency as the dexamethasone suspension 0.1% eye drops, with greater success in controlling IOP post-operatively. This gave us the clue, that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops could be used successfully in cataract surgery.In comparing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops to steroidal eye drops in various aspects in cataract surgery, it was proved that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops can be used effectively in cataract surgery.As for inflammatory process, it proved to be potent as the steroidal eye drops. As for IOP, all case reached their zero level by the end of the 2nd week post-operatively.It is now the time that we can shift for NSAIDs in treatment of the patients post-operatively to reduce the side effects of steroids.NSAIDs proved to be safe enough to be used.