[Corneal penetration of various aminoglycosides and quinolones].
BACKGROUND
Penetration of the aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramycin and chinolones ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin applied as eyedrops and soaked disposable lenses (ACUVUE), used as antibiotic prophylaxis, was investigated.


METHODS
217 patients received before undergoing cataract extraction 0.3% solutions of these antibiotics as eyedrops or by soaked ACUVUE-lenses. During surgery 50-100 microliters aqueous humor was aspirated; concentration of gentamicin and tobramycin was analysed by fluorescence polarisation immuno assay, concentration of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin was analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
After application of gentamicin and ofloxacin as eyedrops and via soaked ACUVUE-lenses as drug delivery system (DDS) we found higher concentrations than after application of tobramycin and ciprofloxacin by the same modes. After using of soaked lenses as DDS the aqueous humor concentrations of all tested substances were higher than the concentrations after the frequent instillation of eyedrops.


CONCLUSIONS
Penetration of gentamicin through normal human cornea is higher than 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 ciprofloxacin and gentamicin applied as DDS allow their use as antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery.
Luthardt
K
K
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Rostock.
Beck
R
R
Hehl
E M
EM
Kundt
G
G
Drewelow
B
B
Guthoff
R
R
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin; D014031:Tobramycin