- G Lofoco: Department of Ophthalmology, S. Pietro-Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Roma - Italy.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of two self-administrated antibiotics in eliminating conjunctival microbial flora.
METHODS: A total of 133 patients operated for cataract surgery were divided into three groups. The first group (A), 55 patients, received fusidic acid drops (1%) two times per day during the 3 days before the surgery; a second group (B), 55 patients, received ofloxacin (0.3%) four times per day during the 3 days before the surgery; and the third group (C), 23 patients, did not receive any topical antibiotic before the surgery. On the day of the surgery, cultures were taken from the lower fornix.
RESULTS: In Group A, 28 cultures (50.9%) were sterile, and 27 (49.1%) were positive for the presence of microbial agents. In Group B, 25 cultures (45.4%) were sterile, and 30 (54.5%) were positive for the presence of microbial agents. In Group C, 5 cultures (21.7%) were sterile, and 18 (78.2%) were not. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common micro-organism isolated in all the groups. Statistical analysis does not reveal a significant difference between Groups A and B for the sterile cultures (p=0.7) (chi-square test), but a statistically significant difference is present between the treated and not treated patients (p= 0.05) (chi-square test).
CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative prophylaxis is useful in eliminating conjunctival micro-organism, and both antibiotics (fusidic acid and ofloxacin) are efficient.