Intravitreal erythromycin in the treatment of induced staphylococcal endophthalmitis.

Intravitreal injection of 500 mcg of erythromycin as the gluceptate caused no toxicity to ocular structures. This dose maintained bacterial inhibitory concentrations in the vitreous for up to 24 hours. Consistent aqueous levels were not obtained with intravitreal injection. Intravitreal treatment of Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis was successful in 11 of 13 rabbit eyes compared to 2 of 13 treated with subconjunctival erythromycin.