Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in penetrating ocular injuries. An experimental study

¹Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles.

|January 1, 1992

Summary

Systemic cefazolin achieved therapeutic intravitreal concentrations after penetrating eye injury, unlike gentamicin. This indicates cefazolin

Area of Science:

Background:

Penetrating ocular injuries can compromise intraocular drug delivery.
Systemic antibiotics are often used to treat or prevent infection following eye trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the intraocular penetration and pharmacokinetic profile of systemically administered cefazolin and gentamicin after penetrating ocular injury in rabbits.
To determine if eye injury affects ocular drug concentrations.

Main Methods:

Twenty rabbits underwent a standard 8-mm penetrating ocular injury.
Group 1 received intravenous cefazolin (75 mg/kg); Group 2 received intravenous gentamicin (2 mg/kg) every 8 hours for 72 hours.
Intraocular (anterior chamber, vitreous) and serum concentrations were measured via bioassay.

Main Results:

Traumatized eyes showed significantly higher cefazolin (9.6 µg/mL) and gentamicin (0.60 µg/mL) concentrations compared to control eyes (P < 0.001).
Cefazolin achieved concentrations exceeding minimum inhibitory levels for many pathogens.
Gentamicin levels remained below therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

Systemic cefazolin demonstrates effective intravitreal penetration post-penetrating ocular injury.
Systemic gentamicin shows poor intraocular penetration in this model.
Cefazolin may be a suitable systemic option for managing ocular infections after penetrating trauma.

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