Comparison of the effects of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones on epithelial healing after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin used for antimicrobial prophylaxis after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on epithelial healing.


METHODS
Forty-four patients randomly received the prophylactic antibiotics gatifloxacin (Gatiflo; 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution, Handok, Chungbuk, Korea, no preservative) in 1 eye and moxifloxacin (Vigamox; 0.5% moxifloxacin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, Alcon Laboratories, Inc, Fort Worth, TX, no preservative) in the fellow eye after PRK. Corneal epithelium was circumferentially removed along a 7-mm zone mark. After PRK, all patients used topical antibiotics 4 times a day until the epithelium healed completely. Starting from postoperative day 1, epithelial healing times and defect sizes were recorded by slit-lamp examination and anterior segment photography. Postoperative pain and discomfort induced by the eyedrops were recorded. Additionally, therapeutic contact lenses were cultured to assess the antibacterial efficacy of fluoroquinolones.


RESULTS
The mean epithelial healing times after PRK were similar for the 2 groups: 2.97 ± 0.41 days for gatifloxacin and 2.95 ± 0.48 days for moxifloxacin (P = 0.81). There was no statistically significant difference in mean defect size on each postoperative day between the treatment groups. There was no difference in postoperative pain and discomfort. No statistically significant differences were observed between eyes treated with gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin in terms of uncorrected visual acuity or best-corrected visual acuity at 3 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences were found in the effects of the preservative-free fourth-generation fluoroquinolones gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin on epithelial healing after PRK.
Shin
Jung Hwan
JH
Department of Ophthalmology, Kang Dong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, South Korea.
Lee
Ha Bum
HB
Park
Hye Young
HY
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D000077266:Moxifloxacin