Studies on corneal penetration ofp-hydroxybenzoic acid esters

Corneal permeability of variousn-alkylp-hydroxybenzoates (parabens) was studiedin vitro using excised rabbit corneas, and the effect of lipophilicity of parabens on the corneal permeability was also investigated. Permeability coefficients were obtained from the least-square linear regression after the steady state had been reached. Lipophilicity of parabens was calculated by distribution coefficients determined in octanol-S (12_phi [kern-0.15em[ ) rensen’s buffer solution (pH 5.0). The relationship between lipophilicity and corneal permeability of parabens was not linear, but the optimum lipophilicity for the maximum permeation was found. The influence of tween 80 on corneal permeability of methyl and butylparaben was not significant.