Effect of taurolidine on the normal eyelid and conjunctival flora

Purpose. The effectiveness of the topical taurolidine was evaluated in erad icating or reducing microorganisms in the normal flora of human eyes in a r andomized controlled study and analyzed also the irritating effects of taur olidine on the ocular surface. Methods. One hundred and twenty eyes of 110 patients awaiting cataract surg ery were randomly divided into four groups consisting of 30 eyes each. The first group received 0.05% taurolidine, the second received 0.3% gentamicin , the third received vehicle eyedrops and the fourth received saline to the preoperative eye four times daily for two days. Cultures were obtained fro m the eyelids and conjunctivas of all subjects prior to the therapy and aga in at the end of 48 hours. Microbiological identification and colony counts were performed by standard laboratory methods, and the results were compar ed. The patients were clinically evaluated for symptoms and signs at the en d of therapies. Results. Taurolidine and gentamicin produced a significant decrease from th e basal bacteriological state: the number of colonies (p < 0.01 for tauroli dine, p < 0.01 for gentamicin) was reduced by both agents. Staphylococcus e pidermidis was the most common microorganism isolated before therapy, and t he number of its colonies was significantly reduced in taurolidine-treated (p < 0.001) and gentamicin-treated (p < 0.01) subjects. There was no signif icant difference in terms of the irritating effects for all therapies teste d (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Taurolidine solution with its unique properties is an effectiv e antimicrobial agent for reducing the number of bacteria in the flora of t he eye. Taurolidine appears to be well tolerated and offers promise as a po tential new antimicrobial drug.