In vivo ocular fluorophotometry: delivery of fluoresceinated dextrans via transscleral diffusion in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the transscleral delivery of fluoresceinated dextrans (FITC-D) with molecular mass up to 70 kDa to the rabbit posterior segment using sub-Tenon injections. METHODS: Eighteen NZW rabbits received a unilateral 200-μL injection of 2 mg/mL sodium fluorescein (NaF), 25 mg/mL 40-kDa FITC-D, or 25 mg/mL 70-kDa FITC-D, with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) immediate euthanatization. In live animals, fluorescence was measured in the retina/choroid and mid-vitreous by fluorophotometry, immediately after injection and after 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Euthanatized animals were examined hourly through 5 or 6 hours. RESULTS: In live animals, the average peak NaF concentration in the retina/choroid was 310.2 ng/mL, measured 3 hours after injection. Average 40- and 70-kDa FITC-D concentrations in the retina/choroid peaked at 5409.6 and 2375.6 ng/mL, respectively, 24 hours after injection. Fluorescence returned to baseline levels 6 hours after NaF injection, and 48 and 72 hours after 40- and 70-kDa FITC-D injections, respectively. Rabbits that received NaF followed by euthanatization exhibited a continuous increase in retina/choroid and mid-vitreous fluorescence, beginning 1 hour after injection, whereas FITC-D-injected eyes did not show elevated retina/choroid or mid-vitreous fluorescence through 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: FITC-D weighing up to 70-kDa, as well as NaF, reached the posterior retina/choroid after sub-Tenon injections in live rabbits. NaF and 40-kDa FITC-D reached higher peak concentrations and were cleared from the eye more rapidly than was 70-kDa FITC-D. There was minimal penetration of NaF and FITC-D into the mid-vitreous in the in vivo experiments.