Effects of preoperative topical levofloxacin on conjunctival microbiome in patients undergoing intravitreal injections.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection that can occur after intravitreal injections. Topical antibiotics are frequently used as a preventative measure, but their impact on the conjunctival microbiome is not fully understood.

Methods

Conjunctival swabs were collected from 33 eyes of 33 patients undergoing intravitreal injections, both before and after a 3-day course of prophylactic topical levofloxacin 0.5%. Conjunctival microbiome analysis was conducted using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bioinformatics processing identified unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) to evaluate microbial diversity and community composition. Alpha and beta diversity indices were analyzed.

Results

Topical levofloxacin treatment resulted in no significant

SUBMITTER: Juhong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957372 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature