Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Intracameral Injection in Rats with Low Risk of Adverse Effects
Published on: May 31, 2024
Experimental intracameral injection of vancomycin microparticles in rabbits
Laurent Kodjikian1, Jérémy Couprie, Walid Hachicha
1Department of Ophthalmology, Croix-Rousse University Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon and Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France. laurent.kodjikian@chu-lyon.fr
Purpose:
To evaluate the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of previously developed poly-(lactide-co-glycolide)-vancomycin-based microparticles (V-MPLs) for eventual use for endophthalmitis prophylaxis during cataract surgery.
Methods:
The intraocular vancomycin concentration profile was evaluated after V-MPL injection into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes. The toxicology of V-MPLs versus MPLs alone was tested by corneal cellular counting and retinal histology. The prophylactic efficacy of the V-MPLs was evaluated by bacterial counts after introducing contaminated intraocular lenses (IOLs) together with the V-MPLs into one anterior chamber of phakic rabbit eyes or without V-MPLs in control rabbit eyes.
Results:
Intraocular V-MPLs produced effective vancomycin concentrations over at least 6 hours. Corneal counts revealed no significant increase in dead cells. Retinal toxicity manifested as inflammation 3 hours after injection, reaching its maximum between 12 hours and 24 hours, decreasing by 48 hours, and completely disappearing at 72 hours. Inflammation was similar between V-MPLs and MPLs. Untreated eyes implanted with highly infected IOLs showed severe, reproducible endophthalmitis. No sign of infection was observed with infected IOLs and concomitant V-MPL treatment, supported by bacterial counts showing a significant decrease in colony-forming Staphylococcus epidermidis units in the anterior chamber and on the implant surfaces within 6 hours.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated the release and toxicologic properties of the authors' newly developed V-MPLs in vivo. In addition, the rabbit model shows that V-MPLs are effective in reducing the risk of experimental endophthalmitis.
Insights
Poly-(lactide-co-glycolide)-vancomycin-based microparticles (V-MPLs) show promise for preventing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. These microparticles effectively reduce bacterial contamination without significant toxicity in rabbit models.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Endophthalmitis is a severe post-surgical complication.
- Current prophylaxis methods have limitations.
- Novel drug delivery systems are needed for sustained intraocular drug release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of poly-(lactide-co-glycolide)-vancomycin-based microparticles (V-MPLs).
- To evaluate V-MPLs for endophthalmitis prophylaxis during cataract surgery.
Main Methods:
- V-MPL injection into rabbit anterior chamber to determine vancomycin concentration.
- Corneal cell counting and retinal histology for toxicology assessment.
- Bacterial counts in rabbit eyes with contaminated intraocular lenses (IOLs) with or without V-MPLs.
Main Results:
- V-MPLs achieved effective intraocular vancomycin levels for over 6 hours.
- No significant corneal cell death observed; transient retinal inflammation noted, similar to MPLs alone.
- V-MPLs prevented endophthalmitis in eyes with contaminated IOLs, significantly reducing bacterial load.
Conclusions:
- Newly developed V-MPLs demonstrate favorable in vivo release and toxicologic profiles.
- V-MPLs effectively reduce the risk of experimental endophthalmitis in a rabbit model.
- V-MPLs represent a potential advancement in prophylaxis for intraocular surgery.
