Inflammation management in ophthalmology: new evidences for cataract surgery and beyond
Matteo Piovella,
Teresio Avitabile,
Roberto Bellucci,
Aldo Caporossi,
Giorgio Marchini,
Pasquale Troiano,
Pier Luigi Canonico
Affiliations
Matteo Piovella
President (2010-2021) Italian Ophthalmological Society (SOI); Treasurer, Italian Federation of Medical Scientific Societies-FISM; General Secretary, Italian Union Association of Eye Doctors and Orthoptists-ASMOOI; President, “Together for Sight” Foundation; Medical Director Centro Microchirurgia Ambulatoriale-CMA, Monza (MB) - Italy
Teresio Avitabile
Professor and Chairman Eye Clinic University of Catania; General Secretary Italian Ophthalmological Society (SOI), Rome - Italy
Roberto Bellucci
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital and University of Verona, Verona - Italy
Aldo Caporossi
Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University "Sacro Cuore" Foundation "A. Gemelli", Rome - Italy
Giorgio Marchini
Full Professor of Ophthalmology and Chairman, University Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona; Director of the School of Ophthalmology, University of Verona; AOUI-Borgo Roma Hospital, Verona - Italy
Pasquale Troiano
Director of the Eye Unit - Fatebenefratelli "Sacra Famiglia" Hospital, Erba (CO) - Italy
Pier Luigi Canonico
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, Novara - Italy
Inflammation represents the manifestation of the host's vascular and cellular response to tissue damage, hypersensitivity of the immune system or autoimmunity. As soon as the damage is detected, the mechanisms of localization and removal of foreign substances and damaged tissues are triggered. This response is amplified by the activation of inflammatory cells and by the production of chemical mediators derived from arachidonic acid, vasoactive substances and cytokines. At the ocular level, among the different responses implemented by various inflammation mediators, the action of prostaglandins is mainly expressed in three ways: i) change of intraocular pressure; ii) induction of miosis; iii) increase of protein concentration in the aqueous humor. Ocular inflammation may continue long after the cessation of the initial cause and may also lead to serious consequences, including permanent vision reduction. For this reason, it is essential to establish a correct and effective therapeutic strategy, which allows to control inflammation, the symptoms and the clinical signs associated with it. This article therefore deals with therapeutic strategies to control inflammation, with a particular focus on the role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cataract surgery.
