Retinal toxicity of liposome-incorporated and free ofloxacin after intravitreal injection in rabbit eyes

Background: Ofloxacin (OFLX) is a fluoroquinolone-antibiotic with a broad antimicrobial spectrum that may have a potential role in the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis. However, its elimination half life after intravitreal injection is short. To prolong the intravitreal antibacterial level OFLX was incorporated into liposomes. This study was performed to investigate the retinal toxicity of liposome-incorporated and free OFLX. Materials and methods: OFLX was incorporated into multilamellar large vesicles. 0,1 ml of this suspension (= 180.2 mu g OFLX) was injected into the midvitreous of rabbit eyes (n = 6). Free OFLX in doses of 100 mu g, 500 mu g and 1,000 mu g was injected into the midvitreous of a second group of rabbit eyes (n = 18). The other eye served as a control and received empty liposomes or normal saline solution, respectively. Before injection and at the end of follow-up an ERG was obtained. After a follow-up of 1 day, 14 and 28 days the animals were perfused with glutaraldehyde and the eyes were examined by light- and transmission electron microscopy. Results: The ERG as well as the histologic studies did not reveal any pathological changes after injection of liposome-incorporated OFLX compared to the control eyes. Significant reduction of the ERG was observed after 500 mu g free OFLX in 2 out of 6 eyes after 1 and 14 days, respectively, and in 2 eyes 1 day after 1,000 mu g free OFLX. Three days after injection of 1,000 mu g OFLX the retina showed focal destruction in 1 out of 6 eyes. In another eye with the same dose 14 days after injection the photoreceptor outer segments showed disorganisation. Conclusion: This study shows that liposome-incorporated OFLX did not have any retinal toxicity in this animal model. Free OFLX appears to have no retinal toxicity in rabbit eyes at a dose of 100 mu g after intravitreal injection. Injection of higher doses resulted in ERG changes and marked retinal damage.