The Effect of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Inflammatory Cystoid Macular Edema

Purpose To assess the role of systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of inflammatory cystoid macular edema (iCME). Design Pilot study. Methods We included 66 patients with iCME and treated them with naproxen (2 × 250 mg daily; n = 28) or rofecoxib (1 × 25 mg daily; n = 38). After 4 months of therapy, visual acuity and inflammation activity were measured. We evaluated the grade of CME, retinal vasculitis, and papillary leakage with fluorescein angiography. Results No clear effect of NSAIDs on iCME, visual acuity, and intraocular inflammation was observed. A beneficial effect was noted in less than 8% of the affected eyes. The drop-out rate after 4 months of treatment was 52%, because of adverse effects or inefficacy of the treatment. Improvement of visual acuity was slightly better in patients who were treated with naproxen compared with rofecoxib ( P ≤ .05). Conclusion Systemic NSAIDs have a limited role (if any) in the treatment of iCME.