rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:25-28 doi:10.1136/bjo.88.1.25
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

The efficacy and safety of topical polymyxin B, neomycin and gramicidin for treatment of presumed bacterial corneal ulceration

  1. M I Bosscha1,
  2. J T van Dissel2,
  3. E J Kuijper3,
  4. W Swart1,
  5. M J Jager1
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
  3. 3Departments of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to: M I Bosscha Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands; m.i.bosschalumc.nl
  • Accepted 26 May 2003

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of topical polymyxin B, neomycin, and gramicidin for the treatment of suspected bacterial corneal ulceration at the Leiden University Medical Center.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of a suspected bacterial corneal ulcer between April 1995 and February 2002 were retrospectively identified and reviewed; clinical and microbiological features and response to therapy were analysed. All patients were treated with Polyspectran eye drops.

Results: In total, 91 patients were included in this analysis. Bacteriological cultures of 46 patients (51%) were positive and revealed 51 microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus (29.4%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.5%) were the most frequently encountered bacteria. Eighteen patients switched therapy before complete healing of the corneal ulceration, four patients were lost to follow up. Of the 69 patients who completed Polyspectran treatment, re-epithelialisation occurred in 68 patients (99%) and on average took 12.6 (median 8) days. Among 91 patients, there were four perforations and one evisceration. Seven toxic or allergic reactions were reported.

Conclusion: This study shows that the combination of polymyxin B, neomycin, and gramicidin is an effective and safe treatment of suspected corneal ulceration.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Social bookmarking

    Register for free content


    Free sample
     This recent issue is free to all users to allow everyone the opportunity to see the full scope and typical content of BJO.
    View free sample issue >>

    Free archive
    The full back archive is now available for BJO. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006, back to volume 1 issue 1.
    Register to access the free archive >>

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.