PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Mark Wright AU - Zahida Butt AU - Gawn McIlwaine AU - Brian Fleck TI - Comparison of the efficacy of diclofenac and betamethasone following strabismus surgery AID - 10.1136/bjo.81.4.299 DP - 1997 Apr 01 TA - British Journal of Ophthalmology PG - 299--301 VI - 81 IP - 4 4099 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/81/4/299.short 4100 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/81/4/299.full SO - Br J Ophthalmol1997 Apr 01; 81 AB - AIMS To compare the relative anti-inflammatory potency and safety of topical diclofenac–gentamicin with beta methasone–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.