Comparative analysis of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide-moxifloxacin versus standard perioperative eyedrops in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide-moxifloxacin (Tri-Moxi) to a standard eyedrop regimen in controlling postoperative inflammation, corneal edema, and the rate of high intraocular pressure (IOP) among cataract patients.

SETTING: Loma Linda University Eye Institute, California, USA.

DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal comparative study.

METHODS: The electronic medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery using triamcinolone acetonide-moxifloxacin injection along with a postoperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug drop were reviewed (Group 1). Group 1 was compared with patients who received a standard eyedrop (Group 2) in terms of intraocular inflammation and corneal edema severity, and the rate of high IOP, postoperatively.

RESULTS: A total of 1195 consecutive eyes (Group 1 [681 eyes], Group 2 [514 eyes]) of 919 patients were included in the study. The anterior chamber cell reaction severity decreased by 34.0% and 35.7% at 1 week and 1 month, respectively, after surgery following triamcinolone acetonide-moxifloxacin injection compared with standard eyedrop therapy (P = .001 and P = .02, respectively). Group 1 was associated with increased severity of corneal edema (odds ratio, 1.48; P = .001) on postoperative day 1, with no statistically significant difference at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (P = .25 and P = .48, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of high IOP between the two groups at different timepoints postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Triamcinolone acetonide-moxifloxacin injection is an effective method to control intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery. It is a promising substitute for standard eyedrop therapy, especially for patients who have poor compliance with eyedrop usage.