Comparison of efficacy of difluprednate 0.05% vs dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops in inflammation associated with small incision cataract surgery

Background: Post operative ocular inflammation is a common happening after any type of surgery. Corticosteroids have been used to treat ocular inflammation however, they carry a risk of side effects, particularily an increase in IOP. A newer steroid, difluprednate is found to be safe than dexamethasone.Methods: Total 120 patient undergoing small incision cataract surgery was enrolled in this prospective, randomized and single blind (investigator masked) parallel study. Either of the two eye drops (dexamethasone/difluprednate) were prescribed post operatively. Patients were examined on postoperative day 1, 7, 14 and 28 for - Intraocular pressure, anterior chamber cells and flare with slit lamp examination.Results: As difluprednate was found effective in reducing pain in 62% of the patients on day 3 as compared to dexamethasone group on day 7 i.e.76% of the patients. Both the drugs has no significant effect on the intraocular pressure.Conclusions: Patients in difluprednate preparation have shown good compliance owing to the lesser frequency of drug administration. Better tolerability because of the emulsion form is also an encouraging factor. The only discouraging factor for difluprednate preparation is the cost. As the frequency of drug administration as compared to dexamethasone is less (QID), it is compromised a bit