[Intraocular passage of imipenem in man]

Twenty two patients (mean age: 69 years) undergoing cataract surgery were perfused with imipenem (1g for 1 hour). The samples of serum and aqueous humor were taken simultaneously 0.5-1-2-5-7 hours after the end of perfusion and immediately stabilized by MES or MOPS buffers and ethylene glycol. The antibiotic concentrations were determined with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. Aqueous humor levels increased from the end of perfusion to 2nd hour (peak 5.2 mg/l) and decreased after (mean level 2.8 mg/l). The concentrations were well above MIC-90 of the species commonly involved in bacterial endophthalmitis. Imipenem appears to have an exceptional penetration into ocular fluids.