Corneal penetration of simultaneously applied topical levofloxacin, norfloxacin and lomefloxacin in human eyes.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to assess the corneal penetration of three topically applied fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, norfloxacin and lomefloxacin) in corneal buttons obtained from patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
Fourteen patients received three drops each of 0.5% levofloxacin, 0.3% norfloxacin and 0.3% lomefloxacin (the standard clinically available preparations) over a 30-min interval beginning 90 mins before their scheduled keratoplasty. Corneal samples obtained from excised buttons at the time of surgery were stored at - 80 degrees until analysis. The concentration of the administered fluoroquinolones was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The mean corneal concentration of levofloxacin (4.6 +/- 3.5 microg/g, mean +/- standard deviation) was significantly higher than that of lomefloxacin (2.7 +/- 1.8 microg/g, p = 0.0018) and norfloxacin (1.3 +/- 1.2 microg/g, p = 0.00012).


CONCLUSIONS
Levofloxacin achieves a higher mean corneal concentration than norfloxacin and lomefloxacin in the human cornea.
Yamada
Masakazu
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. yamadamasakazu@kankakuki.go.jp
Ishikawa
Kaoru
K
Mochizuki
Hiroshi
H
Kawai
Masataka
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D064704:Levofloxacin; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015363:Quinolones; D064704:Levofloxacin; D015242:Ofloxacin; C053091:lomefloxacin; D009643:Norfloxacin