Ketorolac improves visual acuity

Twice-daily application of the drug was well tolerated and effective in reducing pain and inflammation, said Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

"NSAIDs are used to alleviate ocular inflammation and pain after cataract surgery," said Dr. Donnenfeld, founding partner of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, Rockville Centre, NY and Connecticut, and professor of ophthalmology at New York University Medical Center, New York.

The important changes in the formulation of the drug were the addition of carboxymethylcellulose; the absence of preservatives, surfactants, and chelating agents; and a decrease in pH from 7.4 to 6.8. These factors resulted in higher bioavailability of the drug by two- to three-fold in the ocular tissues.

Dr. Donnenfeld and colleagues conducted two randomized, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled studies in which they studied the efficacy and safety of ketorolac 0.45% instilled twice daily for relieving pain and inflammation in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

The investigators also looked at patients' recovery of VA.

The patients underwent uncomplicated, extracapsular phacoemulsification with posterior chamber implantation of an IOL. Ketorolac 0.45% or the vehicle was instilled twice daily starting 1 day preoperatively and continuing for 14 days after surgery.