Corneal penetration of topical amphotericin B and natamycin.

The corneal uptake and penetration of 14C-labelled 0.15% amphotericin B and 5% natamycin were studied in Dutch-belted rabbits. Corneal levels of natamycin were substantially higher than amphotericin B. For both drugs, these levels were influenced by corneal contact time. In corneas debrided of epithelium, both agents entered the corneal stroma and levels were detected in aqueous in the therapeutic range. However, in corneas with intact epithelium, penetration was negligible for amphotericin B (0.23 microgram/gm at 2 mins). By contrast, although penetration of natamycin was greatly reduced, 7.0 micrograms/gm were present at 2 mins.