CORNEAL PENETRATION OF DIFFERENT AMINOGLYCOSIDES AND CHINOLONES

Background Penetration of the aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramyci n and chinolones ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin applied as eyedrops and s oaked disposable lenses (ACU-VUE), used as antibiotic prophylaxis, was investigated. Materials and Methods 217 patients received before unde rgoing cataract extraction 0.3% solutions of these antibiotics as eyed rops or by soaked ACUVUE-lenses. During surgery 50-100 mu l aqueous hu mor was aspirated; concentration of gentamicin and tobramycin was anal ysed by fluorescence polarisation immune assay, concentration of cipro floxacin and ofloxacin was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatogr aphy. Results After application of gentamicin and ofloxacin as eyedrop s and via soaked ACUVUE-lenses as drug delivery system (DDS)I we found higher concentrations than after application of tobramycin and ciprof loxacin by the same modes. After using of soaked lenses as DDS the aqu eous humor concentrations of all tested substances were higher than th e concentrations after the frequent instillation of eyedrops. Conclusi ons Penetration of gentamicin through normal human cornea is higher th an penetration of tobramycin; penetration of ofloxacin through normal human cornea is higher than penetration of ciprofloxacin. The aqueous humor concentrations of ofloxacin applied as eyedrops and DDS, of cipr ofloxacin and gentamicin applied as DDS allow their use as antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract sugery.