Background Some ocular pathologies require to be treated with special ocular solutions that are not available on the market as ready formulations, but need to be prepared in the hospital pharmacy.

Purpose The objective was to create: a database of pharmacopeia-validated ocular formulations that hospital ophthalmologists could prescribe; an online format to be used by hospital ophthalmologists to request the formulations; and a leaflet on each formulation to provide patients with information about the product prescribed.

Material and methods The current literature¹ was reviewed before choosing formulations that the hospital ophthalmologists could prescribe: Amphotericin B 1.5 mg/mL, Cyclosporine A 0.05%, Cyclosporine A 1.25%, Cyclosporine A 2%, Chlorhexidine 0.02%, Chlorhexidine 0.2%, Fluconazole 2 mg/mL, Interferon 1 MUI/mL, Interferon 3 MUI/mL, Mitomycin C 0.04%, Tacrolimus 0.1%, Tobramycin 13.5%, Vancomycin 25 mg/mL and Voriconazole 1%.

The ophthalmologists order the drug/s through the online list, then the pharmacist prepares it/them. When the patient leaves the hospital, the pharmacist gives the drug to the patient, along with a leaflet with details about product storage and possible side effects.

Results In the study period, 68 patients received prescriptions for five categories of ocular formulations: antibiotics, antimycotics, immune-suppressors, immune-modulators and oncologic drugs. The hospital pharmacists recorded patient responses to these formulations. Of the 12 patients who received antibiotics, 11 responded positively while one did not provide a response. Antimicotics were prescribed to 25 patients: 20 responded favourably, four unfavourably and one did not provide feedback. Of the 25 patients prescribed immune-suppressors, 10 responded positively, two negatively, two did not respond and 11 are still in treatment. Three patients received immune-modulators, with two responding favourably and one still in treatment. Anticancer formulations were provided to three patients, all of whom responded positively.

This system facilitated analysis of the outcomes of the various treatments.

Conclusion Most of the patients responded to the drug treatment positively and all gave positive feedback about the leaflet. The online prescription system streamlines the work of the pharmacist and the ophthalmologist.

References and/or acknowledgements 1. Trissel’s Stability of Compounded Formulations;

2. Compounding Today; Preparación de medicamentos y formulación magistral para oftalmología (Herreros);

3. Guidelines: European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, American Academy of Ophthalmology.

No conflict of interest.