This is a randomized control trial comparing the effects of subconjunctival triamcinolone administration during surgery to topical prednisolone drops on the development of post-operative inflammation and macular edema in manual small incision cataract surgery.
Eye drops given following cataract surgery for prevention of post-operative inflammation carry many disadvantages, such as cost and poor medication adherence. To eliminate these barriers, the emerging technique of single dose of subconjunctival triamcinolone delivered during surgery has been shown an effective and safe alternative. The goal of this study is to build on this evidence, utilizing subconjunctival triamcinolone in conjunction with a different surgical technique and population as what was previously studied. This is a randomized control trial comparing the effects of single-dose subconjunctival triamcinolone administration at the time of surgery to the standard 4-week taper of topical prednisolone drops following manual small incision cataract surgery in Guatemala. Patients will be evaluated at post-operative weeks 6 and 12 with the primary outcome variables of intraocular pressure and best corrected visual acuity. Data on presence and amount of corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation, and development of macular edema will also be obtained.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
100
Subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide 4 mg (0.4 mL of 10 mg/mL solution), single-dose injected 6-8 mm inferior to the inferior limbus with a bent 27-gauge needle at completion of cataract surgery.
Standard of care Presnisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic drop taper: 4 times per day for first week, then tapering one drop per week for 3 additional weeks. Discontinued after 4 weeks.
Mean post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) in mmHg in each group
Comparison of mean IOP in mmHg obtained by applanation between control and intervention groups at all time points
Time frame: Pre-operative exam through post-operative month week 12
Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA)
Comparison of visual acuity following refraction quantified on a the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) scale with a range from -0.30 (Snellen equivalent 6/3) with exceptional vision to +3.00 which corresponds to poor vision or only able to discriminate hand motions.
Time frame: Pre-operative exam through post-operative week 12
Degree of inflammation using anterior chamber (AC) inflammation score
Comparison between groups; score obtained by slit lamp examination by a single, non-operating investigational surgeon at all clinic time points. Patients will receive a number for anterior chamber cell ranging from 0 which equals no inflammatory cells visible to 4, or \>50 visible cells in the anterior chamber according to the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) scoring system. This will then be added to the patient's flare score ranging from 0, or no flare, to 4+, which signifies high levels of inflammation, such as fixed or plastic anterior chamber fluid. The summation of these values will determine the patient's overall anterior inflammation score for that examination date.
Time frame: Pre-operative exam through post-operative week 12
Incidence of treatment-emergent macular edema
Incidence of macular edema compared between treatment groups. Macular edema defined as BCVA of 20/40 or worse and ocular coherence tomography with identifiable cystoid spaces within the macula (central 1 mm) or central subfield thickening of 320 µm or greater.
Time frame: Post-operative month one through post-operative week 12
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.