Objective: to compare the effect of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs versus steroidal drugs in prevention of post-operative macular edema after cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: the study was conducted on 40 eyes of 40 patients who had cataract extraction using conventional uncomplicated phacoemulsification performed by the same surgeon. Study included fourty patients divided into two groups according to the treatment with topical drugs for 2 weeks, after phacoemulsification surgery with foldable IOL implantation. Results: The macular thickness results revealed statistically significant (p-value: 0.035) in the difference between postoperative and preoperative macular thickness in two groups. Conclusion: topical NSAID (nepefenac) is more effective for reducing the incidences of CME, macular thickness and improving the visual acuity outcome after uncomplicated cataract surgery than topical steroids.