To Compare the Effect of Nepafenac versus Prednisolone on Post-Operative Inflammation and Intraocular Pressure after Cataract Surgery

Objective: To compare the effect of topical 0.1% Nepafenac and 1% prednisolone in control of inflammation and maintenance of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, from 4 June 2018 to 30 June 2019. Materials and Methods: Total sample size of study population was 400, including all patients getting phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Study population was equally divided in two groups. Group 1 was Nepafenac group, and Group 2 was Prednisolone group. Both groups underwent cataract extraction, and were started on topical 0.1% Nepafenac or 1% Prednisolone along with topical antibiotics after surgery. Postoperative IOP and activity and flare was checked in all patients on day 1, 7 and 28 after surgery and compared between both groups. Results: The study population had a mean age of 60.97±4.91 years. The proportion of male and female patients in study population was 51% and 49% respectively. Difference in mean post-operative IOP and mean change from pre-operative value between both groups was statistically significant (p=0.003 and 0.004 respectively). There was statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of anterior chamber cells and flare respectively at 1st week post-operatively (p=0.002, and 0.003). However, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of anterior chamber cells and flare respectively after 28 days postoperatively (p=0.12, and 0.71). Conclusion: Nepafenac is superior to prednisolone in controlling IOP after cataract surgery, with adequate and comparable control of post-surgical inflammation.