A clinical comparison of two different prednisolone acetate formulations in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two topical steroid prednisolone preparations (Econopred * Plus 1 %, prednisolone acetate 1 %: EPP; Pred Forte 1 %, prednisolone acetate 1 %: PF) in reducing postoperative inflammation in cataract patients. Methods: This was a 4 week, randomized, parallel-group, single-center, active-controlled study. One group of patients received postoperative topical EPP while the other group received postoperative topical PF Both medications were dosed 4 times per day for 14 days and then BID until the container was empty. Both groups of patients received diclofenac sodium QID for 14 days and hydroxypropyl guar (HP-Guar, Systane*) QID for 7 days then PRN (or as directed). The presence of corneal surface keratitis, anterior chamber cells and flare (scales 0-3 for keratitis, 0-5 for cells and 0-4 for flare; 0 none) was evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy. Results: EPP produced significantly lower (P< 0.05) anterior chamber flare scores 14 days following surgery (mean +/- SD: 0.86 +/- 0.53) than PF (1.08 +/- 0.40). Otherwise, there were no differences observed between the 2 treatments with respect to keratitis, anterior chamber flare or cells at postop days 1, 7, or 28. Conclusions: This comparative trial demonstrated that both formulations of prednisolone acetate 1 % have similar efficacy in the treatment of postoperative ophthalmologic inflammation.