ABSTRACT
The in vitro activity of ofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone anti-infective agent, was evaluated against 419 ocular bacterial isolates of 55 species to determine its potential as a topical agent for the treatment of ocular infections. Other agents tested in this study, in which a modified tube-dilution procedure was used, include norfloxacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, chloramphenicol, and polymyxin B. Ofloxacin demonstrated good to excellent activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration against 90% of all bacterial strains tested (MIC90) of ofloxacin was 0.5 microgram/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, 2 micrograms/ml for Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 4 micrograms/ml for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These species were more susceptible to ofloxacin than to any of the nonquinolones tested. The MIC90 of ofloxacin was lower than that of norfloxacin, another quinolone, against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and St. pneumoniae and equal to that of norfloxacin against P. aeruginosa. Because of its broad spectrum of activity and excellent in vitro activity, we concluded that ofloxacin has the potential for development into a superior topical treatment for ocular infection.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteria/drug effects , Eye/microbiology , Ofloxacin/pharmacology , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Bacterial Physiological Phenomena , Drug Resistance, Microbial , Humans , Ophthalmic Solutions , Osmolar ConcentrationABSTRACT
Dipivefrin (DPE) is the first prodrug in general use in ophthalmology. We will discuss the metabolism of DPE to epinephrine within the eye, and the efficacy and safety of DPE in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. In addition, we will address the incidence of adverse systemic effects, ocular tolerance and allergy, and the ocular hypotensive efficacy when DPE is used alone or in combination with other antiglaucoma medications.
Subject(s)
Epinephrine/analogs & derivatives , Glaucoma/drug therapy , Epinephrine/adverse effects , Epinephrine/pharmacology , Epinephrine/therapeutic use , Glaucoma/physiopathology , Humans , Intraocular Pressure/drug effects , Visual Acuity/drug effectsABSTRACT
Ophthalmic Rods, new drug delivery devices for ophthalmic medications, are 2-inch-long plastic rods coated with an ocular diagnostic or therapeutic agent. When the drug-coated tip of the rod is brought into contact with the conjunctiva, the medication dissolves into the tear film. We evaluated the safety, comfort, and ease of use of Ophthalmic Rods coated with fluorescein (30 micrograms) in 28 volunteers. Seventy-nine percent (22 of 28) of the patients rated the device as superior to eyedrops, citing cleanliness, comfort, and ease of application as the primary advantages. Ophthalmic Rods effectively delivered fluorescein to the eye and were found to be safe in patients with various refractive conditions, including those with compromised near vision and accommodation.
