The penetration of oral ciprofloxacin into the aqueous humor, vitreous, and subretinal fluid of humans.

We examined ciprofloxacin levels in the aqueous humor, vitreous, or subretinal fluid in 40 patients undergoing cataract extraction, vitrectomy, or scleral buckling. Ciprofloxacin, 750 mg, was administered orally an average of 17 1/2 and 5 1/2 hours preoperatively. We obtained mean ciprofloxacin levels of 0.53 microgram/ml in aqueous humor, 0.51 microgram/ml in vitreous, and 0.71 microgram/ml in subretinal fluid. These vitreous levels exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)90 of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Haemophilus influenzae, as well as the MIC70 of S. aureus and Bacillus cereus. Therefore, ciprofloxacin may have a role in the management and prevention of endophthalmitis.

[Study of the visual field using automated static perimetry following panretinal photocoagulation in the diabetic]. / Etude du champ visuel en périmétrie statique automatisée après photocoagulation panrétinienne chez le diabétique.

Twelve diabetic patients presenting a preproliferative or proliferative retinopathy were the subjects of our study. We studied the modifications of the visual fields, analyzed by computerized perimetry, after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). For every patient, two techniques of PRP were applied, one on each eye: C: conventional scattered treatment, G: cluster technique. Computerized perimetry was done within 10 days prior to PRP, and 4 to 8 weeks following it. We used the Octopus 500, programs 36 (0 to 30 degrees) and 44 (30 to 60 degrees). It appears that, before any treatment, there is a loss of retinal sensitivity excepted the more central zone. Concerning the loss of sensitivity, although the number of laser burns, is greater in group G, there is no statistical significative difference between the 2 groups. Nevertheless, it seems to be more heterogeneous in group G. However, we have not studied the visual field modifications after confluent PRP using up to 5,000 500 micron laser burns. Although there is a loss of retinal sensitivity after PRP, none of our patients complained of it. PRP seems to us to be the only treatment able to prevent the natural evolution of preproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathies.

Extended wear contact lenses for myopes. A follow-up study of 400 cases.

The long-term effects of extended wear contact lenses (Perfilcon A [Permalens]) for myopia have been studied among 400 patients in a private clinic from December 1977 to September 1982. The drawbacks and possible complications were evaluated. With the exception of one case, no permanent modification of the cornea or ocular adnexa was found. The high rate of success among well-selected patients (without significant astigmatism or chronic infection of the eyelids) far outweighs the risks of radial keratotomy as it is known today. By and large patients opt for this method of optical correction once they are aware of its availability and remain with it despite the necessary frequent replacement of the lenses.

Macular coccidioidomycosis.

A 26-year-old woman had an enlarging dense macular lesion in the right eye. The funduscopic and angiographic findings were distinctly different from those in macular histoplasmosis. She was found to have a coccidioidomycotic granuloma in the left lung and was treated with amphotericin B. Within a month the macular lesion was cicatricial. This appears to be the first reported case of presumed ocular coccidioidomycosis in Canada.