Drug delivery system more effective than topical treatment

SINGAPORE — A new steroid drug-delivery system reduces intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery better than eye drops, according to a study here.

Researchers with the Singapore Eye Research Institute studied 104 eyes of 104 Asian patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation. Of these, 33 eyes served as controls.

In two treatment groups, two Surodex pellets were inserted in the anterior chambers of 35 eyes, and two were inserted in the ciliary sulci of 36 eyes. Control eyes were prescribed conventional 0.1% dexamethasone eye drops four times daily for 4 weeks. Surodex is a formulation of dexamethasone in a biodegradable drug delivery system marketed by OccuLex Pharmaceuticals.

Lower flare meter readings were seen in both Surodex groups at all postoperative visits compared with the topical dexamethasone group, with statistical significance at days 4, 8 and 15. No difference in flare was seen between the anterior chamber and ciliary sulcus placement groups. Slit-lamp assessment of anterior chamber flare and cells showed no difference between Surodex-treated eyes and topical dexamethasone-treated eyes.

Nine of 33 eyes in the anterior chamber Surodex group required steroid augmentation compared with a total of four eyes in the ciliary sulcus Surodex and topical dexamethasone groups.

Inflammatory symptoms were reduced in the Surodex-treated eyes, with statistical significance for ocular discomfort, photophobia and lacrimation.

Surodex is currently approved for use in China, Mexico and Singapore, and is in phase 3 trials in the United States.

The study is published in the December issue of Ophthalmology.