Effect of taurolidine on the normal eyelid and conjunctival flora

The effectiveness of the topical taurolidine was evaluated in eradicating or reducing microorganisms in the normal flora of human eyes in a randomized controlled study and analyzed also the irritating effects of taurolidine on the ocular surface.

One hundred and twenty eyes of 110 patients awaiting cataract surgery 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 from the eyelids and conjunctivas of all subjects prior to the therapy and again at the end of 48 hours. Micro-biological identification and colony counts were performed by standard laboratory methods, and the results were compared. The patients were clinically evaluated for symptoms and signs at the end of therapies.

Taurolidine and gentamicin produced a significant decrease from the basal bacteriological state: the number of colonies (p < 0.01 for taurolidine, p < 0.01 for gentamicin) was reduced by both agents. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common microorganism isolated before therapy, and the number of its colonies was significantly reduced in taurolidine-treated (p < 0.001) and gentamicin-treated (p < 0.01) subjects. There was no significant difference in terms of the irritating effects for all therapies tested (p > 0.05).

Taurolidine solution with its unique properties is an effective antimicrobial agent for reducing the number of bacteria in the flora of the eye. Taurolidine appears to be well tolerated and offers promise as a potential new antimicrobial drug.