Combination eye drop manages inflammation and infection after cataract surgery

A combination eye drop comprised of an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and lubricant (Tobradex ST ophthalmic suspension, Eyevance Pharmaceuticals) managed inflammation and infection, eased the postoperative treatment burden for patients, and improved compliance with the postoperative treatment regimen following cataract surgery.

This FDA-approved, fixed-dose topical antibiotic and corticosteroid combination formulation includes tobramycin/dexamethasone 0.3%/0.05%, according to Blake K. Williamson, MD, MPH, MS, who is in private practice in Baton Rouge, LA, and coauthor Urvi Patel, BSc. Data was presented in an e-poster at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s 2022 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Williamson and Patel evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the treatment postoperatively in patients who underwent cataract surgery.

The patients were seen at various time points: at a baseline evaluation, on the surgical day (day 0), day 1 postoperatively, and at about 6 and 30 days postoperatively. On day 0, the patients received the drug and the first dose was instilled. They were instructed to instill 1 drop per eye 4 times daily for 7 days followed by twice daily thereafter, the investigators recounted.

The patients maintained a diary to document their compliance with the regimen. They also rated their vision, pain on instillation, comfort, and ease of use of the drops on 5-point scales. The patients were assessed by the investigators at all visits and scored using the 5-point scales.

Of the 98 patients included in the study, 91 completed the study. No serious adverse events occurred, andno patients reported substantially blurred vision, burning, or stinging at any time when the drop was instilled.

On the day after surgery, 85% of patients had no irritation 15 minutes after the drop was instilled, and on day 30, 92% reported no irritation 15 minutes after instillation.

The drops were considered easy to use by 97% of patients on days 1 and 6, and 93% did so on day 30. No severe hyperemia, pain, edema, or anterior chamber inflammation occurred at any time point; mild ocular inflammation was seen in 3% or less of patients on days 1, 6, and 30, they reported.

Based on the results of this open-label, single-center study, treatment with tobramycin/dexamethasone 0.3%/0.05% effectively managed inflammation and infection after cataract surgery. The patients reported good compliance with the regimen, tolerability, and ease of use.

“These data suggested that tobramycin/dexamethasone 0.3%/0.05% ophthalmic suspension has the potential to simplify postoperative care and improve adherence to treatment regimens,” the authors concluded.