Comparative study of preemptive Ketorolac and Tetracaine eye drops on the need for sedatives and analgesics during and after cataract surgery

Tetracaine drop is commonly used in ophthalmic surgeries. Ketorolac drop is an anti-inflammatory drug that has been used in some surgical procedures. The present study compared the effect of Ketorolac and Tetracaine eye drops on the need for sedative and analgesic medications during and after cataract surgery.

In this clinical trial study, 86 patients undergoing cataract surgery were distributed into two equal groups as receiving Tetracaine 0.5% or Ketorolac 0.5% eye drops, one drop every 10 min from 30 min before surgery. Postoperative pain, rescue doses of the sedative drugs, hemodynamic variables, nausea and vomiting, hypoxia, and respiratory depression were evaluated in both groups.

Significant differences were not found between the two groups based on hemodynamic variables during surgery and recovery period, postoperative pain up to 24 hours, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and complication such as hypoxia and respiratory distress (P>0.05). Notably, no significant differences were found between the two groups based on midazolam and propofol rescue doses (P>0.05).

There were no significant differences between Tetracaine and Ketorolac eye drops regarding the sedation and analgesia requirements and hemodynamic parameters during and after the cataract operation.