How to prepare chlorhexidine eye drops.

Chlorhexidine eye drops can be used for the treatment of fungal keratitis as a second line therapy where natamycin eye drops are not available. Chlorhexidine eye drops typically used in the clinic are prepared by diluting a concentrated solution of chlorhexidine using sterile water without controlling for pH or tonicity3 and are reported to cause patient discomfort (stinging sensation). The pH and tonicity of chlorhexidine eye drops can be controlled by using acetate buffer (141.4 mM, pH 6.75) to improve patient tolerance/comfort. Controlling the pH of the chlorhexidine eye drops can also improve the stability of the drops: chlorhexidine eye drops prepared using acetate buffer (141.4 mM, pH 6.75) were shown to have stable pH (~6.75) and drug concentration at 40 degrees Celsius for 21 months.