Comparison of topical nepafenac 0.1% and 0.3% on aqueous flare and macular thickness in patients with pseudoexfoliation following cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of topical nepafenac 0.1% administered three times daily versus nepafenac 0.3% administered once daily in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) following routine cataract surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with PEX undergoing routine cataract surgery were divided into two groups for analysis. Group 1 received nepafenac 0.1% three times daily, while Group 2 received nepafenac 0.3% once daily. In both groups, nepafenac was started 1 day before surgery and continued for 2 weeks postoperatively. Anterior chamber flare was quantified using laser flare photometry (LFP), and central macular thickness (CMT) was measured using optical coherence tomography. Measurements were taken preoperatively, at 1 week, and at 6 weeks postoperatively.

Results: The study included 85 eyes from 85 patients, with 39 eyes in Group 1 and 46 eyes in Group 2. During the first postoperative week, Group 2 showed a significant reduction in LFP measurements (P = 0.047) compared to Group 1. Notably, no significant difference was observed between the groups at the preoperative visit or at postoperative week 6. Comparisons of preoperative, 1-week, and 6-week postoperative CMT values also revealed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion: Nepafenac 0.3% used in routine cataract surgery in patients with PEX was shown to be at least as effective as nepafenac 0.1% in terms of aqueous flare and CMT. Aqueous flare values were more favorable with nepafenac 0.3% during the first week. In addition, the convenience of once-daily dosing may offer further advantages.