Effects of antibiotics on the in vitro rabbit corneal endothelium.

The effects of ten antibiotics and two preservatives on the rabbit corneal endothelium were studied by in vitro perfusion. Dose-related effects on corneal thickness were seen with certain antibiotics. No correlation was found between structure, origin, or bacterial sensitivity of the antibiotics and their effect on corneal transplants. Five distinct morphological changes were observed: two were transient and only one was specific. Although clinical dose correlation was not intended, further investigation is needed on erythromycin, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, penicillin, oxacillin, and cephalothin.