A comparison of prophylactic, topical and subconjunctival treatment in cataract surgery

Prophylactic subconjunctival antibiotics and steroids have been used in cataract surgery since the early 1950s. However despite their widespread acceptance, there has, to date, been no direct comparison of subconjunctival and topical routes of administration. We therefore carried out a prospective comparison of the effects of subconjunctival and topical administration of antibiotics and steroids in sixty patients undergoing elective, uncomplicated, extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. The patients were examined by a single observer on the first and third post-operative days and two and six weeks following surgery. The observer was blinded to the patient treatment group. Significantly higher degrees of conjunctival injection and anterior chamber activity were noted in those who received subconjunctival injections compared with those who received topical treatment. There were no significant differences between the two groups in best corrected visual acuity, central corneal oedema, cystoid macular oedema, intraocular pressure and infection. We conclude that prophylactic subconjunctival therapy in uncomplicated cataract surgery is not necessary.