Perception and quality of life associated with the use of olopatadine 0.2% (Pataday) in patients with active allergic conjunctivitis.

This 28-d, open-label, multicenter, single-arm clinical study was designed to evaluate perceptions of olopatadine 0.2% in patients with active ocular allergic signs and symptoms. The study enrolled 330 patients, 5 to 94 y of age, who had previously used olopatadine 0.1% for active allergic conjunctivitis. Most patients were white (n=230; 70.1%) and female (n=239; 72.9%). Of all enrolled patients, 328 were evaluable for analysis. Throughout the study, patients instilled 1 drop of olopatadine 0.2% into each eye once daily; adverse events were documented and ocular evaluations were conducted to ensure patient safety. Direct evaluations of efficacy were not performed. On days 1 and 7, patients completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, recorded their perceptions of olopatadine 0.1% (day 1) or 0.2% (day 7), and had their ocular allergies assessed globally. On each of the first 6 d of treatment, patients also completed a telephone-based perception questionnaire. On day 28, patients returned to the study center, reported their treatment perceptions, had their ocular allergies assessed, and exited the trial. Overall, patients had a positive perception of olopatadine 0.2%. Patients were more satisfied with olopatadine 0.2% than they remembered being with olopatadine 0.1% (289 vs 257 patients; 87.6% vs 77.8%; P<.05). The majority of the 48 patients who wore contact lenses (n=42; 88%) believed that they could wear their contacts as desired. Significant improvement was noted in all categories of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (P<.0001). No unexpected safety findings were reported. Patients perceived olopatadine 0.2% to be effective and well tolerated.

Tear concentrations of levofloxacin following topical administration of a single dose of 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Several fluorinated carboxyquinolones are used to treat ocular infectious disease. Levofloxacin, in particular, has demonstrated activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. OBJECTIVES: An open-label study was undertaken to assess the pharmacokinetics and ocular bioavailability of levofloxacin in human tears, and to determine the tear concentration of levofloxacin in healthy volunteers, following topical administration of a single-dose of 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic solution. METHODS: Volunteers received 1 drop of 0.5% levofloxacin in each eye and were assigned sequentially to 1 of 5 groups for tear sampling. Tear samples were collected on Schirmer test strips at 9 predetermined time points ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours after administration. Six tear samples were collected at each time point (1 eye each from 6 volunteers), except the 24-hour time point, at which 12 samples were collected (both eyes of 6 volunteers). No eye had > 1 tear sample taken during the study. Levofloxacin concentrations were measured using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Thirty volunteers were enrolled, with 6 assigned to each of the 5 sampling groups. At 5 minutes after administration of a single topical dose of levofloxacin, the mean tear concentration was 49.19 +/- 26.73 microg/mL. The mean peak concentration of levofloxacin in the tear film, 221.06 +/- 256.68 microg/mL, was reached at 15 minutes after administration. At 4 hours after administration, the mean tear concentration of levofloxacin was 17.04 +/- 15.13 microg/mL. At 6 hours after administration, the mean concentration of levofloxacin was 6.57 +/- 5.26 microg/mL. At 24 hours after administration, levofloxacin concentrations > 2 microg/mL were measured in 2 of 6 (33%) subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Levofloxacin concentrations in the tear fluid after a single topical dose (1 drop) reached high levels quickly and remained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for most suspected ophthalmic pathogens (< or = 2 microg/mL) for at least 6 hours in most healthy volunteers, and for up to 24 hours in some volunteers.