Pain control and reduction of opioid use associated with intracameral phenylephrine1.0%–ketorolac 0.3% administered during cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To compare pain and the need for the opioid fentanyl use associated with the administration of phenylephrine 1.0%–ketorolac 0.3% (P/K) with those of epinephrine administration during cataract surgery. SETTING: Ambulatory surgery center. DESIGN: Single-center, prospective, randomized, double-masked, self-controlled trial. METHODS: Patients undergoing bilateral, topical anesthetic cataract surgery were randomized to receive either intracameral P/K or epinephrine in their balanced salt solution for the first eye and the other for the second eye, 2 weeks later. Fentanyl was used to manage intraoperative pain. The primary end point was the need for fentanyl administration intraoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain measurements; surgery duration; effective phacoemulsification time; pupil size; and complications. RESULTS: 112 eyes of 56 patients were enrolled. Significantly fewer eyes in the P/K group (7 [12.5%]) than in the epinephrine group (19 [33.9%]; P = .013) required intraoperative fentanyl administration. Mean pain scores were lower in the P/K group than those in the control group at all timepoints. For patients with no pain to mild pain (pain scores ≤ 3), 85.7% (n = 48) of the P/K group and 58.9% (n = 33) of the epinephrine group met this benchmark (P = .003) intraoperatively. The combined outcome, the number of patients not receiving intravenous fentanyl and experiencing no pain to mild pain, was significantly higher in the study (82.1%, n = 46) than in the control group (58.9%, n = 33; P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: P/K administration significantly reduced pain and the need for fentanyl use. Using P/K is a practical way for cataract surgeons to provide better patient care and reduce the need for intraoperative opioids.