The importance of preoperative topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents in cataract surgery- an open label prospective randomised comparative study

Introduction: Intraoperative miosis is a problem which can lead to various complications that may adversely affect the outcome of cataract surgery. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been found to be helpful in reducing the intraoperative miosis. We tried to compare the effectiveness of two such molecules bromfenac and nepafenac. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of topical bromfenac (0.09%) and nepafenac (0.1%) in maintaining mydriasis and controlling immediate post-operative inflammation in cataract surgery. Methods: This is a prospective, randomised, open-label, comparative study of patients with senile cataract posted for cataract extraction and intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation. The patients were randomised into 3 groups: topical moxifloxacilin 0.5% alone (control group or group A), topical bromfenac 0.09% + moxifloxacilin 0.5% (group B) and topical nepafenac 0.1% + moxifloxacilin 0.5% (group C). The drops were started one day before surgery. Mean pupil diameter was measured before starting surgery and after implanting IOL. Slit lamp examination was done on first postoperative day to look for anterior chamber reaction. The values were compared among the 3 groups. Results: The total loss of mean pupillary diameter was significant (p < 0.0001) in control group (25.87%) as compared to bromfenac (3.51%) and nepafenac (3.81%) group. Post-operative inflammation was significantly less (p <0.0001) in bromfenac and nepafenac group as compared to that of control group. Loss of mydriasis and post-operative inflammation was similar in both bromfenac and nepafenac group. Conclusion: Both bromfenac and nepafenac given topically prior to cataract surgery are equally effective in maintaining mydriasis during surgery as well as in controlling immediate postoperative inflammation.