Penetration of topical ciprofloxacin by presoaked medicated soft contact lenses.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the penetration of topical ciprofloxacin by a presoaked medicated disposable soft contact lens without topical drop administration.

Methods: Disposable soft contact lenses were presoaked in 0.3% topical ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth,TX) for 10-12 hours. Presoaked lenses were placed on the eyes of patients with senile cataracts for 3 hours in group A, 5-6 hours in group B, and 8-12 hours in group C prior to their scheduled lens extraction surgery. Aqueous humor samples were drawn by paracentesis during the operation. Ciprofloxacin concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection.

Results: The mean ciprofloxacin concentration was 2.70 +/- 0.98 microg/mL in group A, 1.22 +/- 1.0 microg/mL in group B, and 0.5 +/- 0.2 microg/mL in group C.

Conclusions: Penetration of topical ciprofloxacin is enhanced through a presoaked disposable soft contact lens, and at 3 hours therapeutic levels are obtained. Significant levels of ciprofloxacin are retained through 8-12 hours. This mode of treatment may increase patient compliance compared to frequent topical drop administration, and as a consequence, assure efficient treatment of keratitis, at least for the first 3 hours.