Bromfenac versus betamethasone in diabetic macular oedema
Reviewed by Kurt Spiteri Cornish

This is a randomised, prospective, single-centre trial in patients diagnosed with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) with central subfield thickness (CST) of 250-500µm, who refused anti-VEGF treatment. Nineteen eyes of 19 patients were randomised to bromfenac (BF) or betamethasone (BM) drops, twice a day for the former and four times daily for the latter group. This was done for a total of 12 weeks. Baseline characteristics were comparable. The changes in CST between the groups were similar at any point of observation (four, eight and 12 weeks). Similarly, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) results were comparable at each time point. The authors conclude that, although the first-line treatment of DMO remains anti-VEGF, for patients with mild DMO and inability to receive anti-VEGF, BF drops may be considered as it allows topical treatment. Other studies, however, confirm that the effect of BF in DMO may require a longer period than 12 weeks.

Comparison of the effect of bromfenac versus betamethasone ophthalmic solutions in patients with diabetic macular edema.
Tobimatsu Y, Ogihara R, Endo N, et al.
CURRENT EYE RESEARCH
2023;48(1):80-5