For decades, whenever we have performed cataract surgery, we have used eye drops before and after cataract surgery to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. While eye drops in general work quite well, there are often problems associated with side effects from the medications, as well as difficulties obtaining the drops from the pharmacy and placing them in the eye. Insurance coverages have made name brand eye drops increasingly cost prohibitive for many patients. There is also a lack of strong scientific evidence for the efficacy of eye drops in preventing infections after cataract surgery.
In an effort to make your surgery more convenient, and also to reduce costs, we have begun using a new medication “Trimoxi” which is placed inside the eye at the time of surgery. Studies have shown that this medication allows us to reduce or eliminate drops after surgery about 95% of the time. A small number of patients may have breakthrough inflammation that requires eye drops to be started. Trimoxi also shows improved success for the prevention of infections.
The advantage of using this medication in surgery is that your postoperative course will be simplified to taking one eye drop per day or possibly even no eye drops. Other advantages of Trimoxi are:
- Significant cost savings (Cost for name brand drops is $400 per eye)
- Better prevention of infection
- Convenience
- Avoids side effects of multiple medicated eye drops
For our patients with arthritis, tremors or have difficulty administering drops, we feel that Trimoxi is especially beneficial.
As with all medications, however, even Trimoxi has side effects. These include the presence of floaters, which may appear cloud-like, as well as blurred vision in the immediate postoperative period, typically lasting one to four days.
Dr. Barber is one of the first in Central Florida using Trimoxi, the success and patient satisfaction have been remarkable. Trimoxi is not covered by insurance, but Dr. Barber offers it at no cost to you.
In the unlikely event that you should you experience pain, redness, light sensitivity, or decreased vision after your surgery, please contact our office.
Scientific evidence mounting for superior outcomes with dropless cataract surgery
The approach shown to provide improved infection, inflammation prevention than previous methods.
By Kevin M. Barber, MD
