Key takeaways:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops manage pain and inflammation. They’re FDA approved for different eye conditions, such as helping relieve discomfort after cataract or corneal refractive surgeries.
Ketorolac (Acular, Acular LS, Acuvail), bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite), and diclofenac are a few examples of NSAID eye drops. Nepafenac (Ilevro, Nevanac) and flurbiprofen are also options.
NSAID eye drops are available only with a prescription. Ask your eye specialist which eye drop would be best for you.
There are ways to save on NSAID eye drops. Many come as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can also help you access brand-name Prolensa and Ilevro at exclusive cash prices.
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From cataract surgery to allergic conjunctivitis (itchy eyes), eye inflammation can happen for a variety of reasons. No matter the cause, this can leave you with a painful and uncomfortable feeling in your eyes.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops are one option to relieve this discomfort. They lessen pain and inflammation in the eye by blocking cyclooxygenase proteins.
Here, we’ll highlight five prescription NSAID eye drops, what they’re used for, and how you can save on them. We’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions.
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1. Ketorolac
Ketorolac (Acular, Acular LS, Acuvail) is available in many formulations, including oral tablets, injections, and a nasal spray. It also comes as generic and brand-name eye drops.
Acular and Acular LS look very similar at first glance. They both contain ketorolac, but their doses are slightly different. Acular contains a higher ketorolac dose of 0.5%, while Acular LS (“lower strength”) is a bit lower at 0.4%. Acular may also cause more eye side effects, such as burning and stinging, than Acular LS.
Ketorolac eye drop uses vary based on the product you’re prescribed. For instance, Acular and Acuvail eye drops manage inflammation and pain from cataract surgery. Acular also treats itchy eyes from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, while Acular LS eye drops manage pain, burning, and stinging after corneal refractive surgery (like LASIK).
All ketorolac eye drops are FDA approved for adults and kids. But the minimum acceptable age varies. Acular and Acuvail are options for kids ages 2 and older. Acular LS is approved for kids 3 and older.
How long you use ketorolac eye drops — and how often — depends on what you're treating. In general, you’ll apply 1 drop in the affected eye 2 to 4 times daily. You’ll typically use them for 4 to 14 days (2 weeks).
Good to know: Ketorolac tablets, injections, and nasal sprays shouldn’t be used for more than 5 days at a time. That’s because these systemic (body-wide) forms of ketorolac can cause potentially serious side effects, such as stomach ulcers. Ketorolac eye drops are an exception to this rule since the medication is less likely to get absorbed into your body.
2. Bromfenac
Bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite) is approved to manage eye pain and inflammation in adults after cataract surgery. All formulations of bromfenac are started 24 hours (1 day) before surgery, applied on the day of your procedure, and continued for 2 weeks.
Cataract surgery: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops will likely be part of your treatment plan for recovering from cataract surgery.
Ketorolac dosages: Pharmacists review several ketorolac dosages for adults, including eye drop dosages.
Bromfenac side effects: From eye pain to blurry vision, bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite) eye drops can cause mild side effects you should be aware of.
The recommended bromfenac dosage differs depending on the product you need.
Product | Strength | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
Prolensa — brand and generic | 1 drop once daily | |
BromSite — brand and generic | 1 drop twice daily (morning and evening) | |
Generic bromfenac | 1 drop once daily |
Bromfenac side effects are typically mild and don’t last long. Eye pain, blurry vision, and light sensitivity are a few examples.
Good to know: If you wear contact lenses, it’s important to remove them before administering bromfenac. The drops contain benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that can damage your contact lenses. It’s best to wait about 10 minutes after administering bromfenac eye drops to reinsert your contact lenses.
3. Diclofenac
If you’ve ever experienced osteoarthritis, you may have tried over-the-counter (OTC) diclofenac gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain) to relieve the pain. But diclofenac also comes in a variety of other forms, including a prescription eye drop.
Diclofenac is approved to lower inflammation after cataract surgery in adults. Another use is for managing pain and light sensitivity from corneal refractive surgery.
Your recommended diclofenac dosage depends on which eye surgery you’re using it for. For cataract surgery, you’ll likely apply 1 drop in the affected eye 4 times daily. You’ll start it 1 day after cataract surgery and then continue the medication for 2 weeks. For LASIK eye surgery, you would apply 1 to 2 drops in your eyes about 1 hour before the procedure. Apply 1 to 2 more drops within 15 minutes after surgery. After that, continue applying 1 to 2 drops 4 times daily for up to 3 days.
4. Nepafenac
Like other NSAID eye drops, nepafenac (Ilevro, Nevanac) manages pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. It’s approved for adults and kids ages 10 and older.
Ilevro and Nevanac share the same active ingredient: nepafenac. But they have a couple of key differences. Ilevro comes as a 0.3% product, which is a higher dose than Nevanac’s 0.1% formulation. The recommended Nevanac dosage is 1 drop applied 3 times daily, while Ilevro offers a more convenient option of 1 drop once daily.
A generic version of nepafenac isn’t available.
Good to know: Since nepafenac is a liquid suspension, it’s important to shake the bottle well before each use. This makes sure the right amount of medication gets into each dose.
5. Flurbiprofen
Flurbiprofen is an eye drop that prevents pupil constriction (smaller pupil) during eye surgery in adults. Your eye specialist can see your eye better when your pupil is dilated (larger pupil).
The typical flurbiprofen dosage is different from other NSAID eye drops’. You should apply 1 drop in the affected eye every 30 minutes. You’ll start flurbiprofen 2 hours before surgery and use a total of 4 eye drops.
How to save on NSAID eye drops
There are many ways to save on NSAID eye drops. Several are available as lower-cost generics and/or have copay savings opportunities.
Generic NSAID eye drops are generally the most affordable options. Using a GoodRx coupon, 1 bottle of these medications may cost as low as:
There are also ways to save on select brand-name products. Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use exclusive GoodRx savings to pay as low as:
What’s more, if you’re filling a brand-name prescription, you may be able to save by using a copay savings card or a patient assistance program. Copay savings cards are available for people with commercial insurance. Patient assistance programs are typically an option for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Specific offerings vary by medication.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll need a prescription from an eye specialist for NSAID eye drops. You can find these medications at most retail pharmacies. They’re also available through many mail-order and online pharmacies. NSAID eye drops aren’t available OTC.
You’ll typically need NSAID eye drops after you have cataract surgery. They can help manage inflammation and pain from the procedure. They’re also effective at preventing macular edema after cataract surgery, which is swelling of the back part of the eye. Research shows NSAIDs may be more effective than corticosteroid (steroid) eye drops after cataract surgery. Combination NSAID and steroid eye drop treatment has also shown positive results.
It’s hard to say for sure. For instance, some studies suggest that nepafenac eye drops may be more effective and better tolerated than ketorolac eye drops. But the “best” eye drop isn’t always about effectiveness. It often depends on other factors too, such as cost. Ilevro and Nevanac come only as brand-name products, while other NSAID eye drops — such as ketorolac, bromfenac, and diclofenac — are available as lower-cost generics. Reach out to your eye specialist to see which eye drop is the best option for you.
You’ll need a prescription from an eye specialist for NSAID eye drops. You can find these medications at most retail pharmacies. They’re also available through many mail-order and online pharmacies. NSAID eye drops aren’t available OTC.
You’ll typically need NSAID eye drops after you have cataract surgery. They can help manage inflammation and pain from the procedure. They’re also effective at preventing macular edema after cataract surgery, which is swelling of the back part of the eye. Research shows NSAIDs may be more effective than corticosteroid (steroid) eye drops after cataract surgery. Combination NSAID and steroid eye drop treatment has also shown positive results.
It’s hard to say for sure. For instance, some studies suggest that nepafenac eye drops may be more effective and better tolerated than ketorolac eye drops. But the “best” eye drop isn’t always about effectiveness. It often depends on other factors too, such as cost. Ilevro and Nevanac come only as brand-name products, while other NSAID eye drops — such as ketorolac, bromfenac, and diclofenac — are available as lower-cost generics. Reach out to your eye specialist to see which eye drop is the best option for you.
The bottom line
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops help relieve pain and inflammation in the eye. Ketorolac (Acular, Acular LS, Acuvail), bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite), and diclofenac are three popular examples of NSAID eye drops. Nepafenac (Ilevro, Nevanac) and flurbiprofen are also available. Each is FDA approved for different eye conditions, but many of them are prescribed after cataract and corneal refractive surgeries. An eye specialist can help you decide which eye drop is right for you.
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References
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Lupin Pharmaceuticals. (2025). Bromfenac- bromfenac solution / drops [package insert].
Mehuys, E., et al. (2019). Eye drop technique and patient-reported problems in a real-world population of eye drop users. Eye.
Sandoval, H. P., et al. (2006). Evaluation of 0.4% ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution versus 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
