Tetracycline: Release from Hydrophilic Gel Contact Lens and Intraocular Penetration

Abstract

Application of tritiated tetracycline by means of hydrophilic gel contact lenses in rabbits revealed that about 20% of the antibiotic was released from the gel during a contact time of 5 h. Abrasion of the epithelium increased the intraocular penetration considerably. No accumulation of tetracycline in the eye tissues was observed even after 72 h of continuous application of contact lenses presoaked in tetracycline. Compared with the instillation of tetracycline solution, the application of contact lenses presoaked in tetracycline is much more effective with respect to the achieved level of the antibiotic in the eye.