CORNEAL PENETRATION OF SULFANILAMIDE AND SOME OF ITS DERIVATIVES

Since the introduction of sulfanilamide and its derivatives in the treatment of ophthalmic infections, a controversy has raged over the efficacy of local therapy. In both experimental and clinical work there has been a marked lack of uniformity in the published results. Investigators have published favorable reports concerning the local use of the drugs in the treatment of corneal ulceration,¹ trachoma,² conjunctivitis³ and various other infective processes.⁴ Other investigators⁵ have expressed the opinion that local treatment is a valuable but secondary adjunct to oral medication. Guyton⁶ reported that local application of 5 per cent sulfanilamide ointment had no effect in 18 cases of catarrhal conjunctivitis although encouraging results were obtained in treating infected corneal ulcers. No significant beneficial results were obtained from similar applications of sulfanilamide or sulfapyridine in eyes infected with Haemophilus influenzae.⁷ The therapeutic action of dimethyldisulfanilamide (N,¹ N