title: Effect of intracanalicular collagen implants on the absorption of topically applied sodium fluorescein.
abstract: Absorbable intracanalicular collagen implants were placed in both canaliculi of one eye of nine human volunteers. The other eye served as a control. Twenty-four hours later 2% sodium fluorescein was placed into both conjunctival sacs. Serial corneal fluorescein concentrations were measured with a scanning ocular fluorophotometer from 2 to 90 min after fluorescein administration. The mean corneal fluorescein concentration averaged over all time points was greater in 7 of 9 eyes with collagen implants compared to unimplanted controls. When the data from each subject were analyzed collectively, the mean corneal fluorescein concentration in the implanted eyes (1,218 micrograms/ml +/- SEM 83) was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) than the mean concentration in the control eyes (823 micrograms/ml +/- SEM 83). The use of absorbable intracanalicular collagen implants may increase the bioavailability of topically applied ocular solutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Unterman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reidy
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D003094:Collagen; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015590:Fluorophotometry; D006801:Humans; D007767:Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019736:Prostheses and Implants
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003094:Collagen; D019793:Fluorescein