Effect of intraocular sustained release of indomethacin on postoperative inflammation and posterior capsule opacification

Abstract

Purpose: 

To assess whether the sustained release of indomethacin significantly reduces postoperative inflammation and posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Setting: 

Nishi Eye Hospital, Jinshikai Medical Foundation, Osaka, Japan.

Methods: 

A 7 mm diameter, 1 mm thick polylactic-polyglycolic acid disk containing 7 mg of indomethacin was implanted in five rabbit eyes after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification. The disk and an IOL placed above it were implanted in the capsular bag. The contralateral eyes, which served as controls, received a disk without indomethacin and the same type IOL in the same manner.

Results: 

The indomethacin was fully released within 3 weeks in vitro, a release rate of about 14 μg/h. Postoperatively, aqueous flare intensity was significantly lower at days 2, 3, and 4 and at weeks 1, 2, and 3. Prostaglandin E₂ was not detectable in the aqueous humor of the indomethacin-treated eyes on day 3 and at week 4. In the control eyes, mean concentration was 491 pg/ml ± 54 (SD) and 990 ± 243 pg/ml, respectively. Histopathological examination showed no significant decrease in PCO.

Conclusion: 

Although sustained release of indomethacin significantly decreased inflammation, it did not reduce PCO.