Purpose

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To determine the in vitro human scleral permeability of several dyes and drug-dye combinations with varying molecular weights (MW) and lipid solubilities (fluorescein, dexamethasone-fluorescein, methotrexate-fluorescein, and rhodamine). Coils coated with rhodamine were also evaluated for scleral permeability and sustained release.

Methods

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Scleral sections excised from moist chamber stored human globes were mounted in a 2-compartment perfusion chamber. A small depot of drug/dye (100 μl of 10^-4 M fluorescein, dexamethasone-fluorescein, methotrexate-fluorescein or rhodamine) or a coated coil in 100 μl of BSS was added to the episcleral surface while perfusing BSS to the choroidal side. The perfusate was collected and measured for fluorescence. Permeability was calculated as K_trans from the flux measurements.

Results

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K_trans values (cm/sec, mean ± SE) for the studied dyes and drug-dye combinations were 5.21 ± 0.71 × 10^-6 for fluorescein, 1.64 ± 0.17 × 10^-6 for dexamethasone-fluorescein, 3.36 ± 0.62 × 10^-6 for methotrexate-fluorescein, 1.86 ± 0.39 × 10^-6 for rhodamine and 2.18 ± 0.23 × 10^-6 for the rhodamine from the coils. We found a significant difference between the permeability of the sclera to fluorescein and dexamethasone-fluorescein (P < 0.001), methotrexate-fluorescein (P < 0.05) and rhodamine (P < 0.001). Steady state flux was observed from the rhodamine coil.

Conclusion

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The rank order of scleral permeability to the studied dyes is as follows: fluorescein > methotrexate-fluorescein > rhodamine coil > rhodamine 6G > dexamethasone-fluorescein. Differences in scleral permeability are related to MW and lipid solubility. Prolonged transscleral diffusion of rhodamine delivered by solution and by coil are similar.