In a pilot double-blind, randomized, prospective controlled study the effec
tiveness and safety of 0.3% netilmicin ophthalmic solution were compared wi
th those of 0.3% tobramycin in treating external bacterial ocular infection
s in 45 eligible patients. The treatment with both study medications result
ed in a significant (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test) reduction in the mean cumula
tive score of the signs and symptoms. However, no statistically significant
differences were observed between the two groups. The clinical improvement
rate was almost complete with either antibiotics. There was a statisticall
y positive trend in the netilmicin group with regard to the microbiological
improvement that was achieved in (87% of the netilmicin patients) compared
with 77% of the tobramycin patients (77%). Antibiotic sensitivity revealed
that 84% of the organisms isolated were sensitive to netilmicin whereas on
ly 64% of them were sensitive to tobramycin. Only minor adverse events occu
rred in patients treated with either netilmicin or tobramycin. In conclusio
n, this study demonstrates that netilmicin is a promising new antibiotic fo
r treating external ocular infections.