STERILITY OF OPHTHALMIC DRUGS DISPENSED FROM SPRAY BOTTLES

Background, Spray application of cycloplegics and mydriatics is effica cious and frequently easier to use than a standard dropper bottle in t he pediatric population, However, no documentation regarding the steri lity of drugs dispensed from spray bottles is available, This study wa s conducted to determine whether contamination of ophthalmic drugs occ urs with spray bottle use, Methods, Fifteen milliliters of 1% cyclopen tolate hydrochloride or 0.5% tetracaine hydrochloride were transferred to each of 15 disinfected spray bottles, stored at room temperature o r refrigerated, and sprayed three times weekly for 12 weeks, Cultures were obtained from the spray bottles and drugs before transfer of the drug and from spray bottle contents at 0, 2, 4, and 6 to 12 weeks of s torage, Results, No cultures showed significant bacterial growth, The bactericidal action of the preservative and sterility of the drugs wer e maintained, Conclusions, Despite the transfer to and use of a spray bottle there appears to be minimal risk of instilling contaminated dia gnostic drugs using the spray method when a single drug is stored in a spray bottle.