Over 2.5 million cataract surgeries are performed yearly in the United States. Despite advances in cataract surgery, cystoid macular edema (CME) is the most common cause of loss of vision after cataract surgery, occurring in approximately 0.3% to 3% of all uncomplicated surgeries. If the surgery is complicated, CME can occur in up to 20% of these patients. In CME, fluid accumulates in cystic spaces within the outer plexiform layer of the retina, resulting in decreased vision.
Ocular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been widely used in the treatment of CME. NSAIDs decrease inflammation and are hypothesized to decrease the production of prostaglandins via selective inhibition of the cyclooxygenase pathway, which can result in CME. The standard of care for management of postoperative pseudophakic macular edema to some extent remains unclear. There is currently no FDA-approved therapy for the prophylaxis or treatment of postoperative cystoid macular edema.
Bromfenac (Xibrom)an NSAID and is FDA-approved for ocular use to treat pain and inflammation after ocular surgery. Therefore, these medications might decrease inflammation and be effective in treating CME. The investigators plan to conduct a controlled study to investigate the effect of Bromfenac (Xibrom)in patients who develop CME after cataract surgery. The results of this study may be important in better understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of acute postoperative cystoid macular edema to prevent chronic vision loss.
