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2004 OMIG, Abstract 12

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Non-Invasive Fluorophotometry Assessment of Corneal Epithelial Permeability After Exposure to VigamoxTM or ZymarTM
BE McCarey, HF Edelhauser. Emory Eye Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Purpose: To measure the rabbit corneal epithelial permeability non-invasively following exposure to 4th generation fluoroquinolones antibiotic solutions.
Methods: The unanesthetized rabbit's lower eyelid was extended, such that, the corneal surface was bathed in vivo for 3-minutes with BSS®, Vigamox™, or Zymar™. Followed a 5-ml flush with BSS®, the corneal surface was bathed in 0.075% sodium fluorescein for 3-minutes. Afterwards, corneal epithelial cell uptake of fluorescein was assessed with the slit lamp and a fluorophotometer (OcuMetrics, CA). The fluorophotometer was used to determine epithelial cell layer permeability.
Results: There were three randomized groups (1) OS treated with Vigamox™ and OD treated with BSS®, n=10 rabbits, (2) OS treated with Zymar™ and OD treated with BSS®, n=10 rabbits, and (3) OS treated with Vigamox™ and OD treated with Zymar™, n=10 rabbits. The BSS® solution was used as a control solution. The corneal epithelial cell layer permeability to sodium fluorescein (nm/sec) following exposure to BSS® was 0.5241±0.208 nm/sec, to Vigamox™ was 0.525±0.184 nm/sec, and Zymar™ was 6.315±2.454 nm/sec.
Paired t-tests of each treatment group were performed. In rabbits treated with BSS® and Vigamox™ the paired t-test had a p=0.9516. In rabbits treated with BSS® and Zymar™ the paired t-test had a p<0.0001. In rabbits treated with Zymar™ and Vigamox™ the paired t-test had a p<0.0001.
Conclusion: The epithelial permeabilities of corneas exposed to either BSS® or the Vigamox™ were statistically equivalent. By comparison, the epithelial permeabilities of corneas exposed to either BSS® and Vigamox™ were statistically different from Zymar™. The Zymar™ caused a decrease in the epithelial cell layer barrier, i.e. a 12-fold increase in epithelial permeability as compared to Vigamox™. The change in permeability is comparable to the magnitude expected from 0.005% benzalkonium chloride preservative. Zymar™ contains 0.005% benzalkonium chloride, whereas, BSS® and Vigamox™ are preservative free.

Supported by Alcon Laboratories, and RPB, Inc.
Disclosure code: F for BEM & HPE

 

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