Levofloxacin dosing regimens for bacterial conjunctivitis yield comparable results

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2009;19:1-9.

Two dosing regimens for levofloxacin eye drops for bacterial conjunctivitis showed comparable safety and efficacy. However, a less frequent dosing regimen showed a higher rate of patient compliance.

The masked study included 120 patients with symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. Patients were randomized to instill levofloxacin 0.5% three times daily in each eye for 5 days, or every 2 hours on the first and second days and every 4 hours on the third through fifth days.

Investigators assessed ocular symptoms and microbial outcomes up to 7 days.

The final study group comprised 86 patients: 41 patients on the less frequent dosing regimen and 45 patients on the conventional, more frequent regimen.

Data showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups' rates of resolution. The less frequent dosing group had an 85.4% resolution rate; the conventional dosing group had a resolution rate of 93.3%. The groups also had similar rates of microbial outcomes: 92.7% in the less frequent dosing group and 95.6% in the conventional dosing group, the study authors said.

"Analysis of the results of compliance supported our conclusion that the less frequent method of dosing ... was more convenient for patients and resulted in better adherence to the drug-dosing scheme," they said.