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

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% (Acular®) 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 preoperatively and postoperatively or flurbiprofen sodium (Ocufen®) preoperatively and prednisolone acetate 1% (Pred Forte®) postoperatively. Time scheduled between procedures was from 2 weeks to 1 month. Pupil dilation was measured 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 combination of preoperative Ocufen and postoperative Pred Forte in preventing intraoperative miosis and postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery. The use of Acular as a single agent could save the expense of using separate anti-inflammatory and antimiotic preparations preoperatively and postoperatively, enhancing convenience for the surgeon and surgical facility. (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.