STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PENICILLIN IN THE EYE

Abstract

The remarkable success obtained in the treatment of severe infections with penicillin has naturally called attention to possible applications in ophthalmology. In general, the drug has proved to be very effective in the treatment of infections produced by Staphylococcus aureus, the pneumococcus, the hemolytic streptococcus, the gonococcus and the meningococcus. With the exception of the last two mentioned organisms, penicillin is relatively ineffective against gram negative bacteria. Encouraging results already have been reported following its employment in cavernous sinus thrombosis,, corneal ulceration, conjunctivitis,¹ orbital and facial cellulitis² and acute gonorrheal ophthalmia.³ In corneal infections experimentally produced with Staphylococcus aureus, Robson and Scott⁴ found this drug to be very effective if applied within a reasonably short time. From these data they recommend that the local use of penicillin be given a clinical trial. Another investigator, von Sallmann,⁵ produced intraocular infections in rabbits by introducing pneumococci and