Evaluation of Intraocular Pressure Changes with Topical Dexamethasone 0.1%, Prednisolone 1% and Difluprednate 0.05% Postcataract Surgery- A Randomised Clinical Trial

Introduction: Topical corticosteroids are most commonly used for the control of postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery. Topical steroids may cause increase in Intraocular Pressure (IOP) which, if left untreated may lead to progressive optic nerve damage and glaucomatous field defects. Aim: To compare the ocular hypertensive response of three commonly used corticosteroids in an effort to generate evidence for managing postcataract surgery inflammation more effectively. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical trial was carried out for a period of one year from November 2018 to October 2019, among 150 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were divided into three groups. Group A-50 patients received topical dexamethasone 0.1%, Group B-50 patients received topical prednisolone 1% and Group C-50 patients received topical difluprednate 0.05% four times a day for six weeks after cataract surgery. Postoperative IOP was recorded preoperatively, on first postoperative day and at the end of first week, third week and sixth week with non-contact tonometer and statistical significance was assessed with the help of Repeated Measures Mixed Model Analysis of variance. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.4 +/- 9.39 years, 48% were males and 52% patients were females. Mean IOP in the three drug groups was not statistically significant at 1st week, 3rd week and at 6th week after cataract surgery. Two patients belonging to difluprednate group at the end of 1st week and one patient at the end of 3rd week after cataract surgery developed significant rise in IOP (>31 mmHg). Conclusion: It can be concluded that all three steroids were equally safe and did not cause any statistically significant rise in IOP over six-week postoperative period. However, higher values were noted in difluprednate group at the end of first and third week after cataract surgery.