Dexamethasone versus triamcinolone acetonide for the management of postoperative inflammation following cataract surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cataract remains the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings. Effective control of postoperative inflammation is essential to prevent complications such as cystoid macular edema and raised intraocular pressure. Dexamethasone and Triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) are widely used corticosteroids; however, their comparative efficacy remains uncertain. This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare their effectiveness following cataract surgery.

A systematic search of 4 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Library and Scopus) was conducted up to June 2026 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: CRD420261435380). Randomized controlled trials and prospective studies comparing dexamethasone and TCA in adults undergoing phacoemulsification were included. Risk of bias was assessed using cochrane risk of bias 2 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation. A random-effects model was used, with heterogeneity assessed by I2.