Comparison of subretinal fluid levels of two 0.3% ciprofloxacin-containingeye drops

Purpose: Two ophthalmic solutions of 0.3% ciprofloxacin eye drops are avail able in Turkey: Ciloxan and Siprogut. A previous study by the same authors was the first to report vitreous penetration of ciprofloxacin-containing ey e drops. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of drug fou nd in the subretinal fluid by the two products following local administrati on. Methods: Forty-three patients undergoing conventional retinal detachment su rgery received either Ciloxan (22 patients) or Siprogut (21 patients). Begi nning 6 h before surgery, two drops of solution were instilled onto the ope rative eye every 30 min for the first 3 h and then hourly for the next 3 h. Subretinal fluid samples were collected 30 min after administration of the last dose and were assayed for ciprofloxacin levels using a method involvi ng high- performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. Results: The minimum and maximum subretinal fluid concentrations measured w ere 0.11 mug/mL and 0.65 mug/mL, respectively, with Ciloxan, and 0.08 mug/m L and 0.62 mug/mL, respectively, with Siprogut. There was no statistical di fference between the subretinal fluid ciprofloxacin levels of the two produ cts. The subretinal fluid drug levels attained by both products were below the minimum inhibitory concentrations of common ocular pathogens. Conclusions: Ciloxan and Siprogut can penetrate subretinal fluid. The ocula r bioavailability of ciprofloxacin after local administration is equivalent for both pharmaceutical products.