['After keratoplasty, antibiotic eye drops are used to prevent ocular infection until the recipient corneal epithelium has healed. We compared the effects of azithromycin, a new macrolide, with the effect of the standard antibiotics, tobramycin, on the (i) prevention of infection, (ii) epithelial healing, and (iii) ocular tolerance after penetrating keratoplasty.', 'In this prospective, single-center, randomized study, patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty received postoperative topical dexamethasone and either azithromycin (n=23; Azyter(®); one drop twice daily for 3 days) or tobramycin (n=23; Tobrex(®); 1 drop 4 times daily until complete re-epithelialization). Daily slit-lamp examination with fluorescein was performed, and photographs were taken to digitally assess the re-epithelialized surface area. Daily questionnaires assessed ocular comfort and pain.', 'There were no cases of infection in either group. The re-epithelialized area of the corneal graft increased at a similar rate in each group, with no difference between the groups on any day. The mean±SD days until complete re-epithelialization did not differ between tobramycin (4.14±1.17) and azithromycin (4.13±1.82) (P=0.89). Superficial punctate keratitis scores were similar for tobramycin (1.39) and azithromycin (1.34). Pain and discomfort scores improved each day after surgery with no differences between the groups on any day.'] Does a comparison of azithromycin and tobramycin eye drop on epithelial wound healing and tolerance after penetrating keratoplasty?