Researchers conducted a study to review the evidence on the effectiveness of prophylactic topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in preventing vision loss resulting from CME after cataract surgery, and published the results in Ophthalmology.
Here are five key notes:
1. A panel methodologist assigned ratings based on the level of evidence to selected abstracts and articles.
2. The results showed that NSAID therapy was effective in reducing CME detected by angiography or OCT, and may even increase postoperative vision recovery.
3. However, researchers found the use of NSAIDs did not alter long-term visual outcomes.
4. There was no evidence patients couldn't gain the benefits observed with NSAID therapy through an equivalent dosing of corticosteroid.
5. Cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery has a tendency to resolve spontaneously, according to the study conclusion.
"There is a lack of level I evidence that supports the long-term benefit of NSAID therapy to prevent vision loss from CME at three months or more after cataract surgery," said the study abstract. "Although dosing of NSAIDs before surgery may hasten the speed of visual recovery in the first several weeks after cataract surgery, there is no evidence that this practice affects long-term visual outcomes."