PCME Prevention in Patients With NPDR

There is no standardized, widely-acceptable, evidence-based prophylaxis and treatment protocols to prevent macular edema after cataract surgery (PCME).

Current leading theory of pathogenesis of PCME (Irvine Gass) involves inflammation caused by surgical trauma which induces the release of inflammatory mediators like cytokines, prostaglandins and other vasopermeability factors, which disrupt the blood-retinal barrier and cause leakage from perifoveal retinal capillaries and accumulation of extracellular fluid in outer plexiform and inner nuclear layers of the retina. Diabetes is significant risk factor for developing PCME and grows proportionately with the severity of the diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and affects one in three persons with DM. Interleukin-6 (IL6) is associated with many intraocular inflammatory diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema acting as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Levels of IL6 in aqueous humor are correlated with the severity of DR and the severity of DME. IL6 probably plays a crucial role in the development of inflammation after cataract surgery. Macular edema is usually monitored by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) which is suitable for detecting subtle macular changes as well as follow up after treatment. OCT provides an objective measurement of macular thickness that correlates well with visual impairment and can be useful in standardizing definitions of PCME.

Prevention of PCME after cataract surgery in patients with NPDR include preoperative treatment with steroids, intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, laser treatment and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

This randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted at Clinic of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia. Ninety (90) eyes with mild to moderate NPDR (EDTRS classification) and cataract grade II nuclear/cortical or posterior subcapsular (Lens Opacities Classification System III) who will undergo phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation will be divided into three groups. Group 1 will receive topical bromfenac, group 2 will receive topical dexamethasone and group 3 will receive topical placebo, 7 days preoperatively and 3 weeks postoperatively. All patients will receive standard regimen of topical steroid-antibiotic drops postoperatively. Macular edema is defined as central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) increase of 40% from baseline. On the day of the surgery aqueous humor samples (0.1-0.2 mL) will be taken and IL6 concentration will be analyzed. Central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) will be measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and analyzed 7 days prior to surgery, on the day of the surgery and on 1, 7, 30 and 90 postoperative day.

Inclusion criteria

• clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (EDTRS) and
• senile cataract grade II nuclear/cortical or posterior subcapsular (LOCS III)

Exclusion criteria

• anterior segment pathology (pseudoexfoliation syndrome, corneal opacities),
• posterior segment pathology (diabetic macular edema, previous diabetic macular edema treatment, previous retinal photocoagulation therapy, age related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases or history of uveitis)
• intraoperative complications (posterior capsular rupture, vitreus loss, intraocular lens not implanted in the capsular bag),
• postoperative complications (leaking incision, increased intraocular pressure, corneal edema or inflammation),
• therapy for glaucoma,
• patients on antihypertensive therapy, topical or systemic NSAIDs or steroids,
• previous steroid responders or hypersensitivity to the NSAID drug class,
• previous ocular trauma and intraocular surgery