The effect of moxifloxacin on the normal human cornea.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of moxifloxacin on the cornea of normal human eyes using confocal microscopy and slit-lamp biomicroscopy.


METHODS
This study enrolled adult volunteers who had a normal baseline ophthalmic examination. The dose regimen, similar to that of patients undergoing cataract extraction, was one drop of moxifloxacin in one eye four times a day for 3 days. The untreated fellow eye served as the control. Subjects had a baseline examination (Visit 1), started moxifloxacin the next day, and were examined 24 h (Visit 2) and 72 h (Visit 3) after starting medication. At each visit, visual acuity and adverse effects were recorded, slit-lamp examination with fluorescein was used to measure tear break-up time, and endothelial and epithelial cell counts were determined using confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
Fifteen volunteers (mean age 37 +/- 7 years) enrolled. No significant difference in visual acuity, tear break-up time, endothelial or epithelial cell counts was noted between the treated and fellow eye. Subjects experienced no significant decrease in visual acuity, tear break-up time, or endothelial cell counts during the 3-day treatment period in either eye. Epithelial cell counts were stable at Visits 1 and 2, and decreased similarly in the treated and control eye at Visit 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Moxifloxacin was safe for use during the 3-day treatment period. Moxifloxacin causes no significant epithelial or endothelial toxicity, and has no effect on visual acuity or ocular surface integrity in healthy subjects treated using a dosing regimen that simulated prophylactic use following cataract surgery.
Donaldson
Kendall E
KE
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Marangon
Fabiana B
FB
Schatz
Lauren
L
Venkatraman
Anna S
AS
Alfonso
Eduardo C
EC
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D011804:Quinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D000077266:Moxifloxacin