Comparison of Ketorolac Tromethamine and Prednisolone Acetate in Preventing Surgically Induced Miosis during Cataract Surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of topical prednisolone acetate 1% and topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in the maintenance of pupillary mydriasis during cataract surgery.

METHODS

Fifty patients were enrolled in this prospective, partially masked and randomised study. They were assigned to receive topical treatment with either prednisolone acetate (n = 25) or ketorolac tromethamine (n = 25), starting 24 hours before cataract extraction (either routine extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification). One drop of the study medication was instilled every 6 hours for a total of 4 drops. No epinephrine was used in the intraoperative irrigation solution. Pupil diameter was measured three different times during surgery. To ensure participant safety, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, intraocular pressure, adverse events and visual acuity were also monitored.

RESULTS

The mean pupil diameter change from the time of the pre-incision until after cortical irrigation and aspiration and lens implantation was significantly less with ketorolac than with prednisolone (P = 0.003). Consequently, mean pupil diameter after cortical irrigation and aspiration and lens implantation was significantly greater with ketorolac than with prednisolone (P <0.0001). No significant differences between groups were observed in the pupil diameter before the first incision (P = 0.244), nor after administration of a miotic agent (P = 0.505). Safety variables were comparable and no drug-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% and prednisolone acetate 1% solutions were equally well tolerated without related adverse events, but ketorolac was better in preventing surgically induced miosis.