Cefotaxime levels in the cornea and the aqueous humour were assayed after local topical application and subconjunctival injection in healthy and infected corneas. The results in infected corneas were analysed pharmacokinetically. The absorption and elimination of cefotaxime within 2 hours after topical administration are adequately predicted by a two-compartment model in which one compartment represents the cornea and the other the aqueous humour, with the elimination taking place from the latter. The transfer coefficient kc (cornea-aqueous) was estimated as 1.452 h-1and the return transfer coefficient kca (aqueous-cornea) as 0.287 h-1. After subconjunctival injection the levels measured exhibit bi-exponential kinetics, with the apparent absorption constant Ka-3.816 h-1.