Compatibility of Ophthalmic Solutions

For the Treatment of Glaucoma and Cataract

Abstract

We studied the compatibility in mixing any two of eight kinds of ophthalmic solutions which are frequently used in operations for glaucoma or cataract.
Changes in the appearance, pH value, osmotic pressure and viscosity were checked immediately after mixing, both 1 hour and 24 hours after mixing and keeping in a dark place at room temperature. In some combinations, the mixture became turbid probably due to some of antiseptics to other ingredients. Regarding Noflo Ophthalmic Solution, white needle crystals were generated when mixed with some other drugs. These crystals were identified as norfloxacin (a principal ingredient of Noflo Ophthalmic Solution) by high-performance liquid chromatography and were found to be formed by the increase of pH. From these results, close attention should be paid to the order and intervals in the successive administration of various many ophthalmic solutions while taking into account not only any incompatibility of the antiseptics as well as any changes in the pH values.