Ocular Penetration of Topical Ofloxacin in Rabbit Eye with Amniotic Membrane Transplantation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated ocular penetration and drug level in tear after topical ofloxacin instillation in rabbit eye with amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT). METHODS: In the first set of experiment, 24 rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 4 groups according to the epithelial removal or AMT. Topical ofloxacin was instilled 4 times every 15 minutes and then, 1 hour after the last eyedrop, the samples of amniotic membrane(AM), cornea and aqueous humor were collected. In the second set of experiment, 24 rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 6 groups according to the freshness of AM or its attached time. Topical ofloxacin was applied to eyes and then, tear samples were collected at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Ofloxacin concentration in the samples of two experiments were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Mean ofloxacin concentrations in cornea and aqueous humor were statistically higher in deepithelized corneas regardless of AMT(P<0.05). And mean tear levels of ofloxacin in AMT groups were statistically higher than those in non-AMT groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AMT seems to interfere with the ocular penetration of topical ofloxacin in normal rabbit cornea, but rather enhances ofloxacin penetration in the cornea with epithelial defect. And also the ofloxacin level in tear was higher in eyes with AMT up to 1 hour after topical ofloxacin use. Therefore it seems that AM has potential to act as an effective drug delivery system.