RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Vitreous penetration of levofloxacin in the uninflamed phakic human eye JF British Journal of Ophthalmology JO Br J Ophthalmol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. SP 387 OP 389 DO 10.1136/bjo.86.4.387 VO 86 IS 4 A1 E N Herbert A1 I A Pearce A1 J McGalliard A1 D Wong A1 C Groenewald YR 2002 UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/86/4/387.abstract AB Aims: To assess the vitreous penetration of oral levofloxacin (a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic with improved Gram positive activity) in uninflamed phakic eyes. Methods: 15 patients for macula hole surgery were recruited to the study. 10 received a single 500 mg dose of levofloxacin by mouth preoperatively. Five acted as controls. Serum and undiluted vitreous samples were obtained at surgery and analysed by HPLC. Results: Levofloxacin was detectable 2.5 hours after administration in the vitreous. A peak concentration of 1.6 μg/ml (or mg/l) was measured between 2.5 and 4 hours post-dose. Conclusion: Oral levofloxacin reaches the vitreous rapidly in the uninflamed phakic eye. Levels did not reach MIC90 for the commonest infecting organisms. Nevertheless, levofloxacin would be expected to be active against a higher proportion of infecting organisms than either ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin.