Impact of Topical Nepafenac on Macular Thickness after Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation in Patients without Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of post-operative Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops on macular
thickness in patients without diabetic retinopathy measured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) after
cataract surgery.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place & Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department/Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from 15-01-2019 to
31-12-2021.
Materials & Methods: Diabetic patients without retinopathy who required cataract surgery for visual
rehabilitation were included in the study. They were then divided into two groups. Group A included patients
who received routine steroid+antibiotic post-operative drops while Group B comprised patients who received
nepafenac (0.1%) eye drops eight hourly in addition to routine post-operative eye drops. All patients underwent
standard phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation followed by the use of NSAID eye drops for a
month. OCT measurements were done pre-operatively, 7 and 28 days post-operatively.
Results: Comparison of central macular thickness between groups was significant at (Pre & 7-day post-op) and
insignificant at (7th day & 28th day post-op) and (Pre & 28th day post op) i.e. 0.043, 0.834, and 0.084 respectively.
However, a difference in mean central macular thickness was significant in all follow-up periods i.e. 0.003, 0.006,
and 0.000
Conclusion: Post-operative NSAID in diabetic patients without retinopathy leads to a significant decrease in
macular thickness as compared to those who do not receive post-operative NSAID after cataract surgery.
Keywords: Phacoemulsification, Optical Coherence Tomography, Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents.