Senile Cataract Medication

  • Author: Vicente Victor D Ocampo Jr, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 9, 2012
 

Medication Summary

No drug is available that has been proven to prevent the progression of senile cataracts. Medical therapy is used preoperatively and postoperatively to ensure a successful operation and subsequent visual rehabilitation.

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Mydriatics

Class Summary

Autonomic drugs used to ensure maximal pupillary dilation preoperatively, which is essential for a successful lens extraction. Short-acting mydriatics often are used. Most commonly used mydriatics are phenylephrine hydrochloride and tropicamide.

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Phenylephrine ophthalmic (Neo-Synephrine)

 

Direct-acting adrenergic agent available in 2.5% and 10% concentrations. Acts locally as potent vasoconstrictor and mydriatic by constricting ophthalmic blood vessels and radial muscles of the iris. Favorably used by many ophthalmologists because of rapid onset and moderately prolonged action, as well as the fact that it does not produce compensatory vasodilation. Most ophthalmologists prefer 2.5% to 10% concentration because of fewer risks of severe adverse systemic effects. Onset of action is within 30-60 min lasting for 3-5 h.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Help decrease and control inflammatory response following cataract surgery especially in the immediate postoperative period. The most commonly used ophthalmic steroid is prednisolone acetate 1%. Dexamethasone 0.1% ophthalmic solution sometimes is used as an alternative.

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Prednisolone acetate 1% (AK-Pred, Pred Forte)

 

Topical anti-inflammatory agent for ophthalmic use. A good glucocorticoid that, on the basis of weight, has 3-5 times anti-inflammatory potency of hydrocortisone. Glucocorticoids inhibit edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, and phagocytic migration of acute inflammatory response as well as capillary proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation. Indicated for treatment of steroid-responsive inflammation of palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the globe.

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Dexamethasone ophthalmic (Ocu-Dex)

 

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

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Broad-spectrum antibiotic ophthalmic solutions often are used prophylactically in immediate postoperative period. A number of topical antibiotics are used depending on surgeon's preference, but, generally, medications are active against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

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Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic (Ciloxan)

 

Active against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Bactericidal action results from interference with enzyme DNA gyrase needed for bacterial DNA synthesis. In vitro and clinical studies have shown it to be active against following organisms: gram-positive (ie, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus viridans) and gram-negative (ie, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens). Other organisms have been found to be susceptible in vitro but have yet to be established firmly by clinical studies.

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Erythromycin ophthalmic (E-Mycin)

 

Indicated for infections caused by susceptible strains of microorganisms and for prevention of corneal and conjunctival infections.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ophthalmics

Class Summary

Used for pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.

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Nepafenac ophthalmic (Nevanac)

 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prodrug for ophthalmic use. Following administration, converted by ocular tissue hydrolases to amfenac, an NSAID. Inhibits prostaglandin H synthase (cyclooxygenase), an enzyme required for prostaglandin production. Indicated for treatment of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Vicente Victor D Ocampo Jr, MD  Head, Uveitis and Ocular Immunology Service, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippines; Head, Uveitis and Ocular Immunology Service, Ospital ng Makati Medical Center, Philippines; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Philippines

Vicente Victor D Ocampo Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology, and Philippine Ocular Inflammation Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO  Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Royal Society of Medicine, and Sigma Xi

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.

J James Rowsey, MD  Former Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute

J James Rowsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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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