Efficacy of preoperative versus postoperative ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% in reducing inflammation after cataract surgery

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of 30 minute preoperative versus 1 day postoperative administration of ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% ophthalmic solution (Acular(R)) in reducing anterior chamber inflammation after cataract surgery. Setting: The Hermann Eye Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Texas, USA. Methods: Fifty eyes of 48 consecutive patients scheduled for phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation were included. Before surgery, patients were randomly assigned to start the study drug 30 minutes preoperatively or 1 day postoperatively. No other antiinflammatory agents were used intraoperatively or postoperatively. Main outcome measures were flare and cell counts. Results: Preoperative and postoperative flare and cell counts did not differ significantly between the 2 treatment groups at any time. Both groups showed significant increases in flare (P =.0001) and cells (P =.0001) 1 day postoperatively. Flare and cells returned to baseline levels by day 28 in both groups. There was no significant difference at any time between the 2 groups in the change from the preoperative level of inflammation. Conclusion: There was no difference between administering ketorolac 30 minutes preoperatively versus 1 day postoperatively in reducing inflammation. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26: 1626-1630 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.