The effects of subconjunctival betamethasone on the blood aqueous barrier following cataract surgery: a double-blind randomised prospective study.

The aim of this double-blind randomised prospective study was to assess the effect of subconjunctival Betnesol (betamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1%) on the recovery of the blood aqueous barrier (BAB) following cataract surgery in uncomplicated eyes. Twenty patients [10 male, mean age 71.4 (SD 12.7) years] admitted for routine cataract surgery were randomised into two groups. All patients recruited into the study were free of other ocular disease and were not taking any anti-inflammatory medication. Group A received a subconjunctival injection of cefuroxime (125 mg) alone while group B received a subconjunctival injection of both cefuroxime and Betnesol. All surgery was performed by a single surgeon using a standardised surgical technique and all patients received the same postoperative medication. The Kowa laser flare cell meter was used to measure aqueous flare and cells preoperatively and on the first, second, and seventh postoperative day, and at 1 and 3 months following surgery. The code was broken only after all patients had been followed-up for 3 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in aqueous flare and cells at any of the postoperative visits. In this study we were unable to demonstrate any beneficial effect of subconjunctival betamethasone on damage to and recovery of the BAB following cataract surgery in the uncomplicated eye.