Bahar I, Rosenblat I, Erenberg M, Eldar I, Gaton D, Avisar R, Weinberger D. Effect of Dexamethasone Eyedrops on Blood Glucose Profile.
Curr Eye Res 2009;
32:739-42. [PMID:
17882705 DOI:
10.1080/02713680701573704]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone eyedrops on blood glucose.
METHODS
Two hundred eighty-five patients who underwent cataract surgery were prospectively randomized to receive treatment with topical dexamethasone or diclofenac for 1 month. A capillary blood sample was collected before surgery, immediately after, 1 week later, and 1 month later.
RESULTS
A significant increase in blood glucose levels was noted only in the diabetic dexamethasone group, from 170 +/- 55.5 (mg/dl) before surgery to 229 +/- 76.8 (mg/dl) 1 month later (p = 0.05, 95% confidence interval of -13 to -83.2). The latter level was significantly higher than the 1-month level in the diabetic patients treated with diclofenac drops (198.4 +/- 66.5 mg/dl, p = 0.038).
CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative dexamethasone eyedrops have a greater effect on the blood glucose profile of diabetic patients than on nondiabetic patients. Clinicians should be alerted to this risk and may initiate appropriate follow-up in this patient subgroup.
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