PENETRATION OF TOPICAL 0.3-PERCENT CIPROFLOXACIN INTO HUMAN AQUEOUS-HUMOR

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the penetration of topical ciprofloxacin into aqueous humor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topical 0.3% c iprofloxacin drops were administered to 17 patients with cataracts bef ore lens extraction surgery. The time interval between the first dose and sampling was 3 hours in 3 patients (group A) and 6 hours in 8 (gro up B). In both groups, aqueous samples were collected 30 minutes after the last ciprofloxacin application. Ciprofloxacin concentration was d etermined by highperformance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detect ion. RESULTS: Mean aqueous concentration was 0.83 +/- 0.48 mu g/ml in group A and 2.42 +/- 1.42 mu g/ml in group B. CONCLUSION: Topical 0.3% ciprofloxacin penetrates into the aqueous in a significant concentrat ion.