This study was designed to measure acetaminophen (paracetamol) levels in te
ars, and to compare it to serum levels. Paracetamol levels were measured in
20 paired tears and serum samples from 10 healthy volunteers, 1 and 2 hour
s after ingesting 1.5 g paracetamol. Tears were collected using glass micro
capillary tubes while stimulating the conjunctiva with a small sponge place
d in the lower fornix, Blood samples were taken simultaneously. The samples
were analyzed for paracetamol levels using homogeneous enzyme immunoassay.
Tears and serum paracetamol levels 1 hour after ingestion were 16.3 mu g/m
L +/- 7.2 (mean +/- SD), and 21.4 mu g/mL +/- 7.7 (mean +/- SD) respectivel
y. Tears and serum levels 2 hours after ingestion were 14.4 mu g/mL +/- 7.8
(mean +/- SD), and 17 mu g/mL +/- 7.6 (mean +/- SD) respectively. Tears an
d serum paracetamol levels of all the 20 paired samples (1 h and 2 h after
ingestion) were 15.35 mu g/mL +/-: 7.4, and 19.25 mu g/mL +/- -7.8, respect
ively (mean +/- SD). There was a strong and highly significant correlation
between paracetamol levels in serum and in tears 1 and 2 hours after ingest
ion (r = 0.8, p = 0.005, r = 0.85, p = 0.002 respectively). Mean +/- SD rat
io of tears/serum paracetamol levels 1 hour and 2 hours after ingestion wer
e 0.77 +/- 0.21 and 0.81 +/- 0.25 respectively. Delta tears (difference in
mean levels at 1 and 2 hours) paracetamol levels is significantly correlate
d with Delta serum levels (r = 0.7, p = 0.025). A reliable, convenient, and
feasible noninvasive method is described for measuring paracetamol in tear
s. There is no information in the literature about tears paracetamol secret
ion, and little information of tears drugs concentration.