Role of topical antibiotics in prophylaxis against endophthalmitis following intravitreal antibiotics

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prophylactic use of antibiotic with placebo to prevent post intra-vitreal endophthalmitis and other complications. METHODS: A prospective, cohort study was conducted at Ophthalmology Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), from June 2016 to July 2017. A total of 1082 eyes of 673 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were selected at non-random and divided into two groups. In Group-I, non – exposed, placebo eye drops were given after intravitreal bevacizumab injections and in Group-II, exposed, ofloxacin eye drops were given after intravitreal bevacizumab injections. RESULTS: Total 1082 eyes were given intravitreal bevacizumab injection in 673 patients. No patients in Group-I, non – exposed, receiving placebo eye drops developed post intra vitreal endophthalmitis, whereas only 01 (0.1%) patient developed post intravitreal endophthalmitis in Group-II, exposed, receiving ofloxacin eye drops. In inferential statistics the P- value was also statistically insignificant [x(2) (1, N=1082) =0.95, P>0.05] CONCLUSION: This study showed that topical antibiotic, as a prophylaxis after intravitreal injections has no role in the prevention of post intravitreal endophthalmitis and other complications.