Ocular hypertensive and anti-inflammatory responses to different dosages of topical dexamethasone in children: a

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Dennis S C Lam1, Dorothy S P Fan, Joan S K Ng

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. dennislam_pub@cuhk.edu.hk

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
|June 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Twice-daily topical dexamethasone eye drops effectively control inflammation after strabismus surgery in children. This lower dosage schedule induces less intraocular pressure increase compared to four-times-daily use, suggesting a potentially safer treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Topical corticosteroids like dexamethasone are used to manage inflammation post-strabismus surgery.
  • The optimal dosage schedule for 0.1% topical dexamethasone in pediatric patients remains under investigation.
  • Ocular hypertensive effects of dexamethasone can be a concern, particularly in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the ocular hypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects of two different dosage schedules (four times daily vs. twice daily) of 0.1% topical dexamethasone.
  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these dexamethasone regimens in Chinese children undergoing strabismus surgery.

Main Methods:

  • 137 children undergoing bilateral strabismus surgery were randomized into two groups.
  • Group A received 0.1% dexamethasone eye drops four times daily; Group B received them twice daily for 4 weeks.
  • Intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular inflammation were monitored over an 8-week period.

Main Results:

  • Both dosage schedules led to a significant increase in IOP after 4 weeks compared to preoperative levels.
  • The four-times-daily group (Group A) showed a significantly greater net increase in IOP than the twice-daily group (Group B).
  • Younger children in Group A experienced higher peak IOP and reached it earlier; no significant difference in anti-inflammatory response was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • The ocular hypertensive effect of topical dexamethasone in children is dependent on dosage and age.
  • A twice-daily regimen of 0.1% topical dexamethasone provides effective anti-inflammatory control post-strabismus surgery.
  • The twice-daily schedule is associated with a lower increase in IOP, making it a potentially preferable treatment option.
Abstract

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