Intraocular levels of cefuroxime in uninflamed rabbit eyes.

Intraocular levels of cefuroxime following subconjunctival, intravitreal and combined intravitreal and intravenous administration were determined in uninflamed rabbit eyes. Intraocular levels of the antibiotic were assayed by a biological method. Penetration of cefuroxime into the vitreous following subconjunctival administration was poor. Subconjunctival administration produced higher levels of cefuroxime in the aqueous when compared to parenteral administration alone. Higher levels of cefuroxime were achieved both in the aqueous and in the vitreous after an intravitreal injection. Intravitreal injection of 100 and 1000 micrograms cefuroxime produced intravitreal levels close to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most ocular pathogens up to 24 h after drug administration. Intravenous supplementation did neither enhance the intraocular levels nor did it delay the clearance of the intravitreally injected antibiotic. Mild histopathological changes were seen with equal frequency both in the control and the test eyes and are attributed to the sampling techniques. Electroretinography (ERG) showed no definite changes suggestive of retinal toxicity up to 55 days after intravitreal administration.