Short-term comparative study of the effects of preserved and unpreserved topical levofloxacin on the human ocular surface.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the short-term effects of preserved and unpreserved topical levofloxacin on the ocular surface of preoperative patients with age-related cataracts.


METHODS
This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Patients who were going to undergo cataract surgery received either preserved topical levofloxacin (with 0.01% benzododecinium bromide [BOB]) or unpreserved topical levofloxacin instilled 4 times per day in a short-term course preoperatively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for MUC5AC, symptom scoring, tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, and conjunctival impression cytology were performed before and after the medication.


RESULTS
Sixty-two patients (62 eyes) who completed the final evaluation were included in the data analysis. Before the medication, there was no statistically significant difference (p > .05) between the 2 groups in terms of all the subjective symptoms and objective tests. After the medication, no statistically significant difference (p > .05) was observed in the scoring of each symptom between the 2 groups. With regard to BUT, corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, and conjunctival impression cytology, the 2 groups also demonstrated similar results and showed no significant difference (p > .05). In addition, the amounts of MUC5AC in the tear samples of patients with preexisting BUT ≤5 seconds were similar in the 2 groups and no significant difference was found (p > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Regarding the short-term effects on the ocular surface of patients with age-related cataracts, no clinically and statistically significant differences were observed between topical levofloxacin preserved with BOB and its unpreserved counterpart.
Bai
Tao
T
Peking University Eye Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Huang
Jianfeng
J
Wang
Wei
W
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000378:metabolism; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin; C015163:dimethyldodecylbenzylammonium