Evaluation of the effects of mono or combined use of topical antiglaucomatous drops on conjunctival flora and antibiotic susceptibility.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of mono or combined use of topical antiglaucomatous drops (AGD) on conjunctival flora and antibiotic susceptibility.

Methods: The study group consisting of 84 glaucoma patients using AGDs and 32 healthy controls were evaluated. Groups were formed according to the use of 1, 2 and 3 AGDs. A swab was taken from the conjunctival sac from each patient and cultures were made. Patients with conjunctival hyperemia were classified according to their appearance.

Results: The mean age was 58.61 ± 14.55 years. Conjunctival culture positivity was 84.37%, 89.28% and 90.6% according to the use of 1, 2, and 3 AGDs, respectively, and it was 93.75% in the control group. Staphylococcus hominis (S. hominis) was statistically significantly higher in all glaucoma patients compared to healthy volunteers ( = .030). S. hominis was significantly higher especially in those using 2 (42.85%) and 3 (50%) AGDs, compared to those who received mono treatment (31.25%). Candida spp. was also significantly higher in glaucoma patients ( = .039). In patients with conjunctival hyperemia in glaucoma patients, the most common two bacteria were S. hominis (55.5%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (33%), respectively. In the relationship between isolated bacterial species and conjunctival hyperemia grades, Bacillus spp. ( = .013) was statistically significant.In glaucoma patients, norfloxacin and erythromycin resistance were found to be statistically significantly higher compared to the control group ( = .01).

Conclusion: Considering the statistically significant increase in isolates in all glaucoma patients, we suggest that more care should be taken in terms of infection in surgical procedures planned for glaucoma patients.