Intracameral triamcinolone acetonide to control postoperative inflammation following cataract surgery with phacoemulsification

Purpose: To explore the efficacy, safety and tolerability of 1 mg intracameral triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in controlling ocular inflammation in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 patients undergoing cataract extraction with phacoemulsification at the Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University School of Medicine were randomized into two groups. After surgery, eyes in group A were injected with 1 mg/0.1 ml TA into the anterior chamber, but eyes in group B were not. Postoperatively; in group B, topical prednisolone acetate 1% eyedrops were administered six times per day for 7 days, then four times per day for 15 days, to control postoperative inflammation. In group A, topical corticosteroids were not used. To evaluate the efficacy of intracameral TA, anterior chamber cells, anterior chamber flare and conjunctival hyperaemia were measured on postoperative days 1, 7 and 30 by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The safety of intracameral TA was evaluated by visual acuity measurements, intraocular pressure values and fundus examination. Tolerance variables were assessed by the degree of burning, stinging and blurred vision. Results: Both treatments were equally effective in controlling postoperative inflammation following phacoemulsification. No statistically significant differences between groups were observed for the efficacy, safety and tolerance variables, and no serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Intracameral TA of 1 mg can effectively be used to control postoperative inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery with phacoemulsification. This makes it possible to decrease the dosage and duration of topical prednisolone acetate.