Comparison of Postoperative Intraocular Inflammation in Dogs Receiving Transzonular Intravitreal Triamcinolone-Moxifloxacin Versus Subconjunctival Triamcinolone After Phacoemulsification.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the postoperative effect of transzonular intravitreal triamcinolone-moxifloxacin compared to subconjunctival triamcinolone administered during phacoemulsification in dogs.

ANIMALS STUDIED: Forty-eight dogs (96 eyes) undergoing bilateral phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.

PROCEDURES: All dogs undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation received transzonular intravitreal triamcinolone-moxifloxacin (TITM) in one eye and subconjunctival triamcinolone (SCT) in the contralateral eye. Aqueous flare (AF), anterior chamber fibrin formation (FF), pigment precipitates (PP) on the intraocular lens, posterior capsular opacification (PCO), corneal edema (CE), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed 1 day, 1 week, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 8-12 weeks, and ≥ 3 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was no difference in AF over time (p > 0.05); however, at 2-3 weeks postoperatively, the average AF was statistically greater (p = 0.01) in the TITM group compared to the SCT group. At three postoperative time points, IOP was significantly different (p < 0.05) between TITM and SCT eyes, but remained within a normal reference range. In both groups, IOP significantly decreased (p < 0.05) over time.

CONCLUSIONS

In the parameters evaluated, including overall visual outcome and surgical success, no clinically relevant differences between groups were appreciable. TITM and SCT, used adjunctively to postoperative topical ophthalmic and oral anti-inflammatories, appear to be acceptable techniques for administering a local ocular corticosteroid during canine phacoemulsification, but whether they provide any synergistic or additive effect remains unclear.