Intraocular penetration of periocular ketorolac and efficacy in experimental uveitis.

PURPOSE

To determine in rabbits whether periocular injection of ketorolac tromethamine effectively delivers the drug to the eye and, if so, whether this is efficacious in the treatment of experimental uveitis.

METHODS

Ketorolac was administered by anterior subconjunctival injection, posterior periocular injection, intramuscular injection, or topical eye drops. The aqueous and vitreous were assayed for ketorolac. Anterior subconjunctival and topical ketorolac were compared to control as well as topical and anterior subconjunctival steroid treatments in uveitis induced by the intravitreal injection of tumor necrosis factor.

RESULTS

Anterior subconjunctival injection led to high, though short-lived, levels of drug in the aqueous and vitreous. Posterior periocular injection led to much lower levels. Topical dosing led to relatively low aqueous and undetectable vitreous levels. No ocular levels were detected after intramuscular dosing. All tested antiinflammatory treatments were similarly effective in controlling uveitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior subconjunctival injection of ketorolac produced high intraocular concentrations of drug and was beneficial in controlling the inflammation in this animal model of uveitis.