Effect of Topical Fluoroquinolones on Epithelial Wound Healing After PRK

The prescribed antibiotic for prophylaxis of infection following PRK should be effective at eradicating a potential infection. In addition, the antibiotic should have a rapid onset of action, effectively penetrate the target tissue, and be safe and not toxic to any layer of the healing cornea, especially the epithelium. Several studies have investigated the toxicity of the fourth generation fluoroquinolones on the corneal epithelium and studies have demonstrated that gatifloxacin is less deleterious to the healing cornea than moxifloxacin. Most of these studies, however, have been conducted in animals. This was a retrospective chart review.