Moxifloxacin-dexamethasone formulation shows similar efficacy to conventional treatment, study says

Combined moxifloxacin-dexamethasone eye drops may show similar efficacy compared to conventional treatment for preventing infection and controlling inflammation after phaco and IOL implantation, according to a prospective study by researchers in Brazil.

However, the researchers cited small population size and short follow-up duration as study limitations.

Lincoln Lemes Freitas, MD, and colleagues at Universidade Federal de São Paulo performed phaco and IOL implantation on 126 eyes of 139 patients. Subsequently, the researchers randomly selected 64 eyes to receive a combination of topical 0.5% moxifloxacin and 0.1% dexamethasone (Vigadexa) and 62 eyes to receive 0.5% moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and 0.1% dexamethasone (Maxidex) separately four times daily for 15 days.

Assessments for safety and efficacy were made at baseline and 1, 3, 8 and 15 days postoperatively.

"There was no sign of intraocular infection at any time and only minimal inflammation beyond day 3," the authors said.

The researchers reported no incidence of bacterial infection in both groups over follow-up.

At final follow-up, 97% of patients in each group had five or less cells, according to the study.

Objective and subjective parameters were similar in both treatment groups (P > .05).

One patient who received conventional treatment developed viral conjunctivitis unrelated to the surgery, the authors noted.

The study is published in the December edition of Current Medical Research and Opinion.