Routine Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs with Corticosteroids in Cataract Surgery: Beneficial or Redundant?

Over the last decade, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used increasingly in the setting of cataract surgery. Despite overwhelming acceptance of this practice, there is a paucity of data that clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of NSAIDs in improving long-term visual outcomes. According to a survey in 2012 by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 90% of its membership routinely prescribes an NSAID in addition to, but not as a replacement for, a corticosteroid during cataract surgery at a cost of nearly $200 per brand prescription and amounting to an annual societal cost approximating $540 million.