Materials and methods for controlling infections
View Patent ↗The subject invention provides materials and methods for reducing ocular infections in subjects. The materials and methods utilize chlorhexidine, which has been found to be unexpectedly non-toxic to humans and other animals in low concentrations. The lack of toxicity facilitates the use of chlorhexidine in contexts that were not previously thought possible.
1. A method for treating a subject at risk of, or having, inflammation or infection at an ocular site, wherein said method comprises administering to the ocular site of the subject a formulation that consists of an aqueous solution of chlorhexidine at a concentration of from 0.02% to 0.1% and, optionally, one or more further ingredients selected from anti-bacterial agents, anti-viral agents, fungicidal agents, anesthetic agents, and buffers.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ocular site is an infected or inflamed condition selected from the group consisting of: conjunctivitis, stye, chalazion, dacryocystitis, blepharitis, keratitis, vitritis, chorioretinitis, and neuroretinitis.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of chlorhexidine is about 0.05% or less.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chlorhexidine is chlorhexidine gluconate.
5. The method, according to claim 1 , wherein the ocular site is infected.