Penetration of topical ciprofloxacin by presoaked medicated soft contact lenses

Purpose: To assess the penetration of topical ciprofloxacin by a presoaked medicated disposable soft contact lens without topical drop administration. Methods: Disposable soft contact lenses were presoaked in 0.3 % topical ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) for 10- 12 hours. Presoaked lenses were placed on the eyes of patients with senile cataracts for 3 hours in group A, 5-6 hours in group B, and 8-12 hours in group C prior to their scheduled lens extraction surgery. Aqueous humor samples were drawn by paracentesis during the operation. Ciprofloxacin concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography- fluorescence detection. Results: The mean ciprofloxacin concentration was 2.70 ±0.98 μg/mL in group A, 1.22±1.0 μg/mL in group B, and 0.5 ± 0.2μg/mL in group C. Conclusions: Penetration of topical ciprofloxacin is enhanced through a presoaked disposable soft contact lens, and at 3 hours therapeutic levels are obtained. Significant levels of ciprofloxacin are retained through 8-12 hours. This mode of treatment may increase patient compliance compared to frequent topical drop administration, and as a consequence, assure efficient treatment of keratitis, at least for the first 3 hours.