Ocular Toxicity of Intravitreal Injection of Miconazole

ABSTRACT

Miconazole is a synthetic imidazole with a broad spectrum of activity, low systemic and ocular toxicity. To determine the ocular toxicity of intravitreal injection of miconazole, we injected the drugs into the vitreous bodies of 44 rabbit eyes, doses varying from 5 microgram to 500 microgram dissolved in O.1ml of normal saline. Cataract, vitreous opacity, and retinal edema were observed in concentration of 100 microgram or greater, ophthalmoscopically. Histopathological examination revealed retinal toxicity in concentration of 50 microgram or greater. Retina showed hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium, clumping of pigments, and disorganization and loss of photoreceptor outer segment. In more advanced changes, subretinal deposits of macrophage and cellular debris, migration of photoreceptor nuclei into the subretinal space, and necrotic changes in all layers were observed.