Controlled Release of Multiple Therapeutics From Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Post-Cataract/Post-Refractive Surgery and Uveitis Treatment

Abstract

Purpose This work demonstrates seven-day controlled and extended in vitro physiological flow dual release of multiple post-ocular surgery therapeutics from extended-wear contact lenses as a dropless alternative for treatment of uveitis and corneal inflammation, pain, and infection. Lens replacement each week optimizes treatment matching patient recall time with the ability to increase or decrease dosage. Methods Lenses were synthesized using molecular imprinting to create lenses with macromolecular memory for diclofenac sodium (DS) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DMSP), as well as bromfenac sodium (BS) and moxifloxacin (MOX). Drug uptake and release were analyzed, and physical properties were measured and compared to commercial standards. Results DS + DMSP–loaded lenses demonstrated seven-days-plus release of each, whereas controls released more than 85% of their payload within the first day. Lenses loaded with BS + MOX demonstrated release of BS and MOX for 11 and eight days, respectively. Structural analysis demonstrated statistically similar mesh size and average molecular weight between crosslinks between imprinted lenses and controls, suggesting that release extension was due to formation of macromolecular memory sites rather than a tighter polymer architecture. Conclusions Lenses demonstrated in this work have significant clinical applications as an eye drop alternative, possessing the ability to be worn continuously for one week while delivering a consistent amount of therapeutic for the duration of wear. Translational Relevance In vitro physiological flow release results demonstrate the clinical potential of therapeutic contact lenses as a dropless vehicle for ocular drug delivery.

Phosphorylcholine-Based Contact Lenses for Sustained Release of Resveratrol: Design, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Performances, and In Vivo Behavior

“…The solvent uptake was quantified, in duplicate, as the increase in weight of dried hydrogel disks (10 mm diameter) or CLs when placed in vials containing 5 mL of water, SLF, or resveratrol loading solution (100 μg/mL in ethanol/water 10:90 v/v) at room temperature and protected from light. The disks were weighed at preset time points (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,24,48, and 120 h) after carefully removing the excess liquid on their surfaces with absorbent paper. The solvent uptake was calculated through the following equation where W 0 and W t represent the initial weight and at time t weight of the hydrogel.…”

“…More than 140 million people wear contact lenses (CLs) worldwide, and the number of wearers is expected to grow further due to planned improvements in CL material design that expand into diagnosis and therapy applications. − CLs offer high visual acuity but the prolonged use causes discomfort due to changes in tear fluid dynamics and oxygen diffusion limitations and also increases the risk of microbial-related ocular diseases . The surface of CLs is prone to be colonized by bacteria from skin (fingers) that can form biofilms. , Moreover, the presence of the CL on the ocular surface can damage the corneal epithelium and interferes with tearing and blinking, facilitating the development of microbial keratitis. , Indeed, prolonged wearing of CLs has been demonstrated to alter the eye microbiota, which may weaken eye protection against infections …”

Contact lens as an emerging platform for ophthalmic drug delivery: A systematic review

“…Compared with traditional contact lenses, molecular imprinting technology improves the kinetics of drug absorption and release from contact lenses, which is related to the physical properties of contact lenses . DiPasquale [74] developed a molecularly imprinted contact lens to achieve controlled release of two groups of drugs. These monomeric drug complexes are retained during polymerization, leading to templating of the drug within the lens and the formation of macromolecular memory sites.…”

Recent Advances in Hydrogels for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

“…High-molecular-weight drugs cannot penetrate the water channel of contact lenses [ 121 , 122 ]. Multiple therapeutics can also be loaded into the hydrogel contact lenses using the molecular imprinting technique, wherein functional monomers are mixed with therapeutics before polymerization, achieving a high drug affinity and increased drug loading capacity [ 123 ]. Moreover, the drug release mode can be customized according to the monomer composition.…”