title: Comparison of topical fixed-combination fortified vancomycin-amikacin (VA solution) to conventional separate therapy in the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In an in vitro study, fixed-combination fortified vancomycin and amikacin ophthalmic solutions (VA solution) had the same potency and stable physical properties as the separate components. In this retrospective clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy of the topical VA solution in the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcer and comparison with separate topical fortified vancomycin and amikacin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Separate topical fortified eye drops was used prior to January 2004 and switched to the VA solution afterwards in the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcer. The medical records of 223 patients diagnosed with bacterial corneal ulcers between January 2002 and December 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 122 patients in the VA group and 101 in the separate group. Cure was defined as complete healing of the ulcer accompanied by a nonprogressive stromal infiltrate on two consecutive visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found between the VA and separate therapy group. The mean treatment duration was 15.4 days in the VA group and 16.1 days in the separate therapy group. The average hospital stay was 5.4 days (VA) and 7.2 days (separate antibiotics). Stromal infiltration regressed significantly without further expansion in both groups. All corneal ulcers completely re-epithelialized without complications related to drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VA solution provided similar efficacy to the conventional separate therapy in the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers; however, it is more convenient and tolerable, promotes patient's compliance, avoids the washout effect, and reduces nurse utilization. Hence, VA solution is a good alternative to separate therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: W-L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y-T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Y-Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000583:Amikacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002648:Child; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014640:Vancomycin; D000583:Amikacin