ABSTRACT
We studied the tear bioavailability of topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% eyedrops in eyes having an eyeliner and compared the level to the fellow eye without the eyeliner. We enrolled a total of 10 patients; 6 females and 4 males, with an age range of 32 to 40 years. One drop of ciprofloxacin 0.3% was instilled in each eye; one eye had carbon-based eyeliner placed at the lid margin and the fellow eye had no eyeliner. Tear samples were collected at 1 and 5 hours following the application of topical ciprofloxacin. At one hour, the mean ciprofloxacin tear concentration in eyes with eyeliner was 1.67 mg/1 compared to 2.35 mg/1 in eyes without eyeliner [p <0.05]. At 5 hours, the mean concentration of ciprofloxacin was 0.17 mg/1 in eyes with eyeliner and 0.24 mg/1 in eyes without the eyeliner [p <0.1]. Application of carbon-based eyeliner may cause a decrease in the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin in the tear film compared to eyes without the eyeliner. It is proposed that carbon may cause adsorption of the ciprofloxacin and decrease the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin in the tear film. Patients on topical ciprofloxacin may have to be asked to avoid the use of carbon-based eyeliners