We performed a prospective, randomised, investigator-masked and parallel-group study to compare topical
lomefloxacin 0.3% instilled twice daily with topical
chloramphenicol instilled five times daily in the treatment of acute
bacterial conjunctivitis. 191 patients (
lomefloxacin 96,
chloramphenicol 95) were enrolled in this study with clinically diagnosed acute
bacterial conjunctivitis. The two treatment groups were similar at baseline. The treatments were equally effective and significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the Cumulative Sum Score of the clinical signs and symptoms of
bacterial conjunctivitis. At the end of the trial, there was no difference between the two treatments in the Cumulative Sum Score of signs and symptoms (p = 0.63), and the investigator (p = 0.28) and patients' (p = 0.50) assessments of the success of
therapy. The two drugs were equally well tolerated locally, with no serious systemic or local
adverse drug reactions reported in any study patient. Bacteriological confirmation of acute
conjunctivitis was possible in 96 patients (
lomefloxacin 47,
chloramphenicol 49) out of the 191 enrolled. Both treatments significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the conjunctival bacterial colony count score with no difference (p = 0.12) between the two treatment groups. In conclusion,
lomefloxacin 0.3%
eye drops instilled twice daily were as effective and well tolerated as
chloramphenicol 0.5%
eye drops instilled 5 times daily in the treatment of acute
bacterial conjunctivitis.