Short-term comparative study of the effects of preserved and unpreserved topical levofloxacin on the human ocular surface.

Purpose: 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, ...