Comparison of the efficacy of diclofenac and betamethasone following strabismus surgery.

AIMS To compare the relative antiinflammatory potency and safety of topical diclofenac-gentamicin with betamethasone-neomycin following strabismus surgery. METHODS A single centre, single observer, prospective, randomised, and double masked clinical trial of 25 children undergoing bilateral symmetrical horizontal strabismus surgery was carried out. One eye received diclofenac-gentamicin and the contralateral eye received betamethasone-neomycin; both treatments were instilled four times a day for 4 weeks postoperatively. Ocular inflammation was assessed at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively, objectively by comparison with a photographic chart and subjectively by questionnaire. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of resolution of the inflammatory response between each group at both visits. CONCLUSION Diclofenac appears to be as effective as betamethasone in controlling postoperative inflammation following strabismus surgery and may offer a safer alternative to the use of topical steroids.