Table 1.
Recommended Antibiotic Therapy for Bacterial Keratitis by AAO
| Antibiotic | Topical Concentration | |
|---|---|---|
| Gram-positive cocci | Cefazoline | 50 mg/mL |
| Vancomycin* | 10–50 mg/mL | |
| Bacitracin* | 10,000 IU | |
| Fluoroquinolones | Commercially available doses | |
| Gram-negative rods | Tobramycin or Gentamicin | 9–14 mg/mL |
| Ceftazidime | 50 mg/mL | |
| Fluoroquinolones | Commercially available doses | |
| Gram-negative cocci | Ceftriaxone | 50 mg/mL |
| Ceftazidime | 50 mg/mL | |
| Fluoroquinolones | Commercially available doses | |
| Gram-positive rods (nontuberculous Mycobacteria) | Amikacin | 20–40 mg/mL |
| Clarithromycin | 10 mg/mL | |
| Azithromycin | 10 mg/mL | |
| Fluoroquinolones | Commercially available doses | |
| Gram-positive rods (Nocardia) | Sulfacetamide | 100 mg/mL |
| Amikacin | 20/40 mg/mL | |
| Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole: | ||
| Trimethoprim | 16 mg/mL | |
| Sulfamethoxazole | 80 mg/mL | |
| Undetermined or multiple microorganisms | Cefazoline or vancomycin and Tobramycin or Gentamicin |
25–50 mg/mL |
|
9–14 mg/mL | ||
| Or | ||
| Fluoroquinolones | Commercially available doses |
Notes: *Vancomycin and bacitracin are effective only on gram-positive bacteria. They are not suitable for empirical monotherapy.