[Diffusion of fluoroquinolones in the aqueous humor and crystalline lens]

Abstract

In 53 patients undergoing cataract extraction, the authors measured pefloxacin and ofloxacin penetration in aqueous humour and lens. Cataract removal was performed at varying times after either the end of one-hour infusion of pefloxacin, ofloxacin per os in one time, or pefloxacin per os during 3 days. In the two first schemes, acme concentrations in aqueous humour are 1.45 mg/l for pefloxacin, 1.14 mg/l for ofloxacin. These concentrations reach the MIC90 of most bacteria usually involved in endophthalmia. The steady state concentrations of pefloxacin are between 6 and 7 mg/l during the first 12 h: they reach the MIC of 80% of Streptococci. There is no evidence of accumulation of pefloxacin in lens; lenticular concentrations of ofloxacin are very low and rapidly decrease.