Comparison of topical gatifloxacin 0.3% and ciprofloxacin 0.3% for the treatment of bacterial keratitis.

PURPOSE: To compare the bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin for the treatment of bacterial keratitis.

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

METHODS: A total of 104 eyes of 104 patients with bacterial keratitis seen at a tertiary eye-care center were randomized to treatment with gatifloxacin 0.3% eyedrops (GAT group, 50 eyes) or ciprofloxacin 0.3% eyedrops (CIP group, 54 eyes). Patients and the treating physician were masked to the antibiotic being used. Main outcome measure studied was healing of the ulcer. Patients lost to follow-up before complete healing were excluded from further analysis.

RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of ulcers in the GAT group exhibited complete healing compared with those in the CIP group (39 eyes [95.1%] vs 38 [80.9%]; P=.042). Gatifloxacin demonstrated a significantly better action than ciprofloxacin against gram-positive cocci in vitro (P<.001), and the percentage of ulcers caused by these pathogens that healed in the GAT group was significantly better than in the CIP group (P=.009). Mean time taken for healing of ulcer and the efficacy against gram-negative bacteria did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Gatifloxacin had a significantly better action against gram-positive cocci both in vitro and in vivo when compared with ciprofloxacin. In view of these organisms being the leading cause of keratitis worldwide, gatifloxacin may be a preferred alternative to ciprofloxacin as the first-line monotherapy in bacterial keratitis.