Purpose: To investigate retinal toxicity of gentamycin
injected subconjunctivally in areas adjacent to thinned or ectatic sclera.
Methods: Scleral scrapping to half thickness was performed
in both eyes of 8 rabbits followed by subconjunctival gentamycin injection in
the right eye and saline in the left. ERG and histological evaluation were
performed.
Results: Mean b-Wave ratio (experimental/control eye) was
0.8-1.0 in all rabbits. Histopthological examination revealed severe localized
damage in eyes injected with gentamycin adjacent to injection site.
Discussion: Subconjunctival injection of antibiotics which
are considered safe might diffuse throught thinned sclera and be toxic to the
retina.