Postoperative Corneal Edema Medication

  • Author: Michael Taravella, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 14, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The goal of pharmacotherapy is to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Hypertonic solutions and ointments

Class Summary

Create an osmotic gradient, and draw fluid from the cornea.

Sodium chloride hypertonic, ophthalmic (Muro 128, Adsorbonac)

 

For osmotic pressure control and water distribution.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive, covering all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.

Polymyxin B ophthalmic (Polytrim drops, Polysporin ointment)

 

For ocular infections, involving cornea or conjunctiva, resulting from strains of microorganisms susceptible to this antibiotic. Available as a solution and ointment.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. Corticosteroids modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.

Prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte)

 

Treats acute inflammations following eye surgery or other types of insults to the eye.

Decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing increased capillary permeability.

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Alpha 2-adrenergic agonists

Class Summary

Can decrease IOP.

Brimonidine (Alphagan)

 

Selective alpha 2-receptor that reduces aqueous humor formation and increases uveoscleral outflow.

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Beta-adrenergic blockers

Class Summary

These agents reduce elevated and normal IOP, with or without glaucoma.

Timolol ophthalmic (Timoptic, Blocadren)

 

May reduce elevated and normal IOP, with or without glaucoma, by reducing production of aqueous humor or by outflow.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Michael Taravella, MD  Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute; Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Michael Taravella, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, and Eye Bank Association of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Mark Walker, MD  Medical Director, Laser Eye Connection

Mark Walker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard W Allinson, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic

Richard W Allinson, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; EyeGate Pharma Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Large multiple bullae, such as depicted here, are associated with moderate to severe pain and discomfort.
Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in a patient with a Binkhorst style iris-fixated lens.
Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. This patient has a closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (Leiske model).
Specular microscopy of a normal cornea. Note the compact, uniform hexagonal appearance of the endothelial cells.
Specular microscopy illustrating moderate polymegathism and polymorphism. This is thought to be evidence of endothelial physiologic stress.
Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. The apparently empty spaces are occupied by guttate.
 
 
 
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