TREATMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE INFLAMMATION IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Any attempt to understand the rationale behind current approaches used to modify postoperative inflammation following ophthalmic surgery requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of inflammation induced by tissue damage and its relationship to the pharmacodynamics of anti-inflammatory drugs. This review attempts to correlate the pharmacology of anti-inflammatory drugs with recent advances in related medical sciences. Anti-inflammatory drug actions and uses are reinterpreted from the viewpoint provided by these advances and their relevance to current ophthalmic practice is underscored. An emphasis is placed on the importance of anti-inflammatory drug pharmacodynamics and its relationship to ophthalmic therapeutics following ocular surgery. These goals are consistent with the purpose and philosophy of ophthalmic clinical pharmacology.