Comparative studies on topical lomefloxacin and ciprofloxacin on ocular kinetic and experimental corneal ulcer

Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobial agents that have abroad spectrum of acti vity and that are widely used against many of the ocular pathogens responsi ble for conjunctivitis, blepharitis, corneal ulcers, etc. The aim of our st udy was to compare the ocular pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin (0.3% w/v) and lomefloxacin (0.3% w/v) by HPLC after a single application of 50 mu l t opically. The study was also extended to compare their efficacy in experime ntally-induced corneal ulcers. In ocular kinetic studies, lomefloxacin show ed nearly 10 times more ocular bioavailability in aqueous humor as compared to ciprofloxacin. Lomefloxacin showed a C-max of 1.62 mu g/ml at the T-max of 1 hr whereas ciprofloxacin showed a C-max of 102.8 ngs/ml at the T-max of 1 hr. Lomefloxacin was found to have significant efficacy in the healing of Staphylococcus aureus-induced corneal ulcers and associated lesions. Mo reover, aqueous formulation of lomefloxacin showed a good compatibility at neutral pH. The results of our study indicate that a suitable treatment reg imen with lomefloxacin (0.3%) therapy could be: an excellent therapeutic al ternative over ciprofloxacin in bacterial keratitis.