Aim:

The aim of this study is to report the tolerability, safety and efficacy of a topical triamcinolone acetonide-loaded liposomes formulation (TA-LF) to prevent clinically significant macular edema (CSME) after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).

Methods:

Fifty-five eyes of 32 patients who underwent FLACS were enrolled. Twenty-seven eyes were assigned to the TA group whereas twenty-eight eyes were assigned to the TA-LF group. In the TA group, eyes were exposed to a conventional topical formulation of triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% for 21 days postoperatively, whereas patients in the TA-LF group received a liposomal formulation containing 2 mg/ml of TA (0.2%). A follow-up consisting on slit-lamp examination, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, central foveal thickness (CFT) and total macular volume (TMV) (both measured by retinal optical coherence tomography) was performed. Study visits were scheduled at 1 day, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery.

Results:

The incidence of CSME in the TA group at 6 weeks was 22.2%, in contrast, the incidence of these finding in the TA-LF group was 0%. A conventional steroid formulation (TA 0.1%) was associated with an increased risk of CSME (OR, 9.44; 95% CI, 1.76 - 50.66; p = 0.027). Finally, no ocular or systemic adverse events were reported in any group.

Conclusion:

TA-loaded liposomal formulation is effective for the prevention of CSME associated with FLACS, and it seems that its therapeutic activity could be superior to the activity of a conventional topical steroid formulation.