Honey May Help Prevent Post-Operative Eye Inflammation

Honey has often been reported to eliminate cataracts simply by placing drops of liquid honey in the eye... 

Honey Prophylaxis Reduces the Risk of EndophthalmitisDuring Perioperative Period of Eye Surgery

Phytotherapy Research, Early View

Endophthalmitis following eye surgery remains a rarebut serious complication. Topical fluoroquinolones have been used asprophylactic agents against endophthalmitis. However, the emerging resistanceof ocular pathogens to fluoroquinolones may preclude their routine use.

Honey, a natural antimicrobial product with woundhealing properties, is a promising candidate for the prophylaxis ofendophthalmitis.

The goal of this study was to determine whether 25%(w/v) honey solution is effective in eradicating bacterial ocular pathogens inthe perioperative period in patients scheduled for cataract surgery orvitrectomy, and to compare its efficacy to 0.3% ofloxacin.

In this pilot study, 101 patients were randomized tohoney (n = 49) or ofloxacin (n = 52) treatment. In both groups, eye drops wereadministered five times a day for 7 days before and 5 days after surgery.Before administration of the antibacterial agents, 18 and 25 isolates weredetected in the ofloxacin and honey group, respectively.

After 7 days of administration, four isolates (coagulase-negativeStaphylococcus) were detected in each therapeutic group. No significantdifference in antibacterial effect was found between groups. These resultsindicate that honey may act as a prophylactic agent of endophthalmitis; however,further studies are needed to characterize its ocular penetration properties.