Overview

Determining the Effect of Antibiotic Drop Prophylaxis on the Conjunctival Flora

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-12-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
Ranibizumab (Lucentis) is currently the best treatment for wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). To work, the drug must be injected by means of an intravitreal injection (IVT) into the vitreous (jelly-like material) cavity in the back of the eye, repeatedly at intervals ranging from one to several months. Endophthalmitis is a rare but devastating infection of the eye that occurs in approximately 0.2% of patients after IVT injection. Many ophthalmologists ask patients to use antibiotic eye drops after IVT injection in the hope that this may reduce the risk of endophthalmitis. There is no proof that this happens and there is a possible risk that repeated exposure to the same antibiotic may cause antibiotic resistance organisms (bacteria) to develop over time. The investigators hypothesize that repeated exposure to antibiotic during the initial stages of treatment for AMD will result in a progressive shift in the conjunctival flora with an increasing number of antibiotic resistant organisms appearing over time. If this is demonstrated, changes to the prevailing treatment approach will be needed to reduce the long term risk of a patient developing antibiotic resistant endophthalmitis during treatment.
Phase:
N/A
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Lawson Health Research Institute
Collaborator:
St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation
Treatments:
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antibiotics, Antitubercular
Moxifloxacin
Norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol drug combination
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- all patients undergoing their first ever injection to treat AMD and who are expected
to continue treatment in London for at least the next 3 injections are potentially
eligible.

- able to provide Informed Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

- current contact lens use.

- use of topical antibiotics in the study eye in the preceding 6 months.

- patients in whom eye surgery in the study eye is anticipated in the next 4 months.

- documented allergy to the drug or vehicle.

- patients with active ocular, periocular or systemic infection.

- immunosuppressed patients.