[Effects of intravitreal levofloxacin on the rabbit retina]

Effects of intravitreal injection of levofloxacin (LVFX) on the electroretinogram (ERG), visual evoked potential (VEP), and retinal histology were studied in 23 albino and 23 pigmented rabbits to establish the non-toxic intravitreal dosage of LVFX. Doses of 200, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 micrograms of LVFX were injected intravitreally. The ERG and VEP were recorded before injection, and 3 hours, 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection. The oscillatory potential transiently deteriorated with 1,000 and 2,000 micrograms doses of LVFX in albino and pigmented rabbits. No ERG changes were observed with 200 and 500 micrograms doses. No abnormal changes were observed in the VEP or retinal histology with any doses of LVFX. These results indicate that intravitreal injections of 200 and 500 micrograms of LVFX are nontoxic to the rabbit retina.