The objective of this study was to determine whether 4-phenylazobezyloxycarbonyl-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-D-Arg (Pz-peptide), an enhancer of hydrophilic solute permeability in the intestine, could elevate the paracellular permeability of hydrophilic drugs across cornea and conjunctiva in the rabbit. The in-vitro penetration of hydrophilic drugs (mannitol, atenolol) and lipophilic drug (propranolol) across the rabbit cornea and conjunctiva was studied either in the presence or absence of 3 mM Pz-peptide. Drug penetration was evaluated using the modified Ussing chamber. The conjunctiva was more permeable than the cornea to all drugs. Pz-peptide showed enhanced effects on the drug transport across cornea and conjunctiva in a concentration dependent manner. Effects or ion transport inhibitor on the mannitol penetration were then investigated. Mannitol penetration was not changed by serosal addition of $100;{mu}M$ ouabain, suggesting that $Na^+/K^+$ ion tranporter was not involved in the Pz-peptide induced elevation of paracellular drug permeability. Furthermore, effects of Pz-peptide and EDTA on the transport of atenolol and propranolol into the ocular tissues or blood circulation after its administration into both eyes were investigated. EDTA showed enhanced effect on propranolol transport into the ocular tissues, but Pz-peptide did not show significant difference. Systemic absorption of propranolol by the addition of EDTA or Pz-peptide was not changed. On the other hand, EDTA and Pz-peptide elavated the atenolol transport into the ocular tissues. The transport of atenolol into the blood circulation was also enhanced by the addition of EDTA, but no effect was observed by the addition of Pz-peptide. The above findings suggest that Pz-peptide would be used as an paracellular pathway enahncer of hydrophilic drugs into the eye, without affecting the systemic absortion of topically applied opthalmic drugs.