Table 1.
Summary of randomized controlled trials on the adjunctive use of topical corticosteroids for bacterial keratitis
| Author(year, location) | Type of intervention (no of eyes) | Outcome measures (follow-up interval) | P-value (steroid vs placebo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmichael et al31 (1990, South Africa) | Cefazolin 32 g/L and gentamicin 14 g/L (40) | Ulcer healing rate | >0.05 |
| plus | BCVA | >0.05 | |
| dexamethasone 0.1% (21) vs placebo (19) | Adverse events (2 months) | >0.05 | |
| Srinivasan et al32 (2009, India) | Moxifloxacin 0.5% (42) | BCVA | >0.05 |
| plus | Time to re-epithelialization | 0.03 | |
| prednisolone phosphate 1% (20) vs placebo (22) | Infiltrate/scar size | >0.05 | |
| Adverse events (3 weeks and 3 months) | >0.05 | ||
| Blair et al33 (2011, Canada) | Gatifloxacin 0.5% (30) | Ulcer size (photograph) | >0.05 |
| plus | Ulcer size (clinician estimate) | 0.05 | |
| dexamethasone 0.1% (15) vs placebo (15) | BCVA | >0.05 | |
| Quality of life | >0.05 | ||
| Time to healing | >0.05 | ||
| Adverse events (2.5 months) | >0.05 | ||
| Srinivasan et al34,35 (2012, India and USA)a | Moxifloxacin 0.5% (500) | BCVA | >0.05 |
| plus | Infiltrate/scar size | >0.05 | |
| prednisolone phosphate 1% (250) vs placebo (250) | Time to re-epithelialization | >0.05 | |
| Adverse events (3 weeks and 3 months) | >0.05 |
Notes:
a
Additional subgroup analyses, 12-month and 4-year follow-up results are discussed in the text. Placebo was 0.9% sodium chloride.
Abbreviation: BCVA, best-corrected visual acuity.