Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in the Treatment of Retinal Diseases

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an important class of drugs in medicine and ophthalmology. Several NSAIDs have been commercially available for many years: diclofenac, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac and suprofen. The purpose of this chapter is to review the clinical use of earlier and newer pharmacologic agents of the NSAID class. NSAIDs may have a modulating effect on ocular inflammation and pain through the prevention of prostaglandin synthesis via cyclooxygenase inhibition. Newer-generation NSAIDs have emerged in recent years for the treatment of ocular pain and inflammation. Nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% is a new topical NSAID prodrug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. Preliminary data suggest nepafenac may also provide unique efficacy in the posterior segment, since its corneal permeability characteristics are superior to those of other NSAIDs. Nevanac, diclofenac, ketorolac and bromfenac are some notable NSAID candidates which should be investigated intravitreally or topically for retinal pharmacotherapy. In addition, for intraocular surgery, NSAIDs can help to prevent intraoperative miosis, reduce ocular pain, decrease postoperative inflammation and prevent cystoid macular edema. Retinal, choroidal and vitreous diseases may be the target of future nepafenac studies, either as monotherapy or as combination treatments.