Phase II placebo-controlled study of nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% for postoperative inflammation and ocular pain associated with cataract surgery in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of nepafenac ophthalmic suspension compared to placebo in the management of postoperative inflammation and ocular pain in Japanese patients undergoing cataract surgery. METHODS This was a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical study. Patients received nepafenac or placebo TID beginning 1 day before cataract surgery and continuing on the day of surgery for 14 days. One additional drop was administered on the day of surgery. The primary efficacy variables were the percentage of patients cured at postoperative day 14 visit (cure defined as aqueous cells score + aqueous flare score = 0) and the percentage of patients who were pain free at all postoperative visits. RESULTS The cure rate on day 14 after surgery was 71.4% (75/105) in the nepafenac group and 28.6% (30/105) in the placebo group, showing a significant difference in cure rate between groups. The nepafenac group demonstrated higher cure rates than those in the placebo group, with a significant difference in cure rate on days 7 and 14 postoperatively. The ocular pain-free rate was 96.2% (102/106) in the nepafenac group and 67.6% (71/105) in the placebo group, showing a significant difference between groups. Concerning adverse events (AEs), 26 AEs were reported in 21 subjects (19.6%) in the nepafenac group and 31 AEs were reported in 24 subjects (22.4%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSION Nepafenac ophthalmic suspension is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug effective in the prevention of postoperative inflammation and ocular pain associated with cataract surgery.