Penetration of topically applied ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin into the aqueous humor of the uninflamed human eye

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare aqueous humor penetration of topical 0.3% ciprofloxacin, 0.3% norfloxacin and 0.3% ofloxacin in 63 patients undergoing cataract surgery. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (long-term treatment) involved 30 patients undergoing cataract extraction who received either 0.3% ciprofloxacin, 0.3% norfloxacin or 0.3% ofloxacin topical drops. Each patient was preoperatively given a single drop per hour six times. At the time of surgery, 0.1 mi aqueous fluid was aspirated from the anterior chamber and immediately stored at -70 degrees C. Topically applied ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and norfloxacin achieved mean aqueous humor levels of 2.80+/-1.07, 2.95+/-1.19 and 1.50+/-0.48 mu g/ml respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in intraocular mean aqueous levels of ciprofloxacin versus ofloxacin. Topical ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin achieved mean aqueous humor levels significantly higher than norfloxacin (p<0.001 and p<0.0008 respectively).