Effects of Perioperative Ketorolac Tromethamine on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To identify the effects of 0.45% ketorolac tromethamine on intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery in glaucoma patients.Methods: A retrospective chart review of open angle glaucoma patients and controls who underwent cataract surgery (perfomed by a single surgeon) was conducted. Topical ketorolac was applied from the day before surgery until 1 month postoperatively. IOP and anterior chamber (AC) inflammation were assessed preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. The incidence of IOP spikes was also measured. For comparative analysis, glaucoma patients were divided into ketorolac (G+K+) and non-ketorolac (G+K-) groups, while non-glaucoma patients were divided into G-K+ and G-K- groups.Results: A total of 243 eyes (243 patients) were enrolled. Among glaucoma patients, the initial postoperative IOP increase and IOP at 3 months postoperatively were lower for the G+K+ than G+K- group. In the G+K+ group, IOP remained low at 1 and 3 months postoperatively, while in the G+K- group, IOP did not change significantly compared to the preoperative values. Among non-glaucoma patients, there were no differences in IOP change until 3 months postoperatively between the G-K+ and G-Kgroups. AC inflammation was significantly lower at 1 week in the G+K+ than G+K- group. The incidence of IOP spikes during the first 3 months postoperatively was lower in the G+K+ than in the G+K- group.Conclusions: Ketorolac had a positive effect on IOP after cataract surgery and allowed for a lower IOP to be maintained in glaucoma patients. Topical ketorolac may be used to prevent IOP elevation after cataract surgery in patients with advanced glaucoma or at high risk for severe AC inflammation.