A randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of topical antibiotic steroid combination versus no treatment after fornix-incision strabismus surgery

Purpose: To compare comfort and inflammation in patients treated with postoperative topical antibiotic steroids in one eye versus no treatment in the other eye. Methods: This prospective, randomized single-masked study included all patients with planned symmetrical strabismus surgery via fornix incision. One eye was randomly assigned to topical postoperative tobramycin-dexamethasone and the other eye was not treated. Patient and parent questionnaires were administered, and two masked observers assessed conjunctival injection over the muscle and wound site. Results: A total of 70 patients completed at least 1 postoperative visit and were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment eye and the no treatment eye in any of the studied parameters. Conclusions: Postoperative topical antibiotic steroid did not prove to be superior to no treatment in uncomplicated fornix surgery with regard to patient comfort and inflammation. In those cases, consideration may be given to sparing the patient the inconvenience, cost, and potential complications of the topical medication.