Photosensitizer Loaded Contact Lenses As An Externally Stimulated Ophthalmic Drug Delivery System
Ophthalmic administration of drugs is primarily associated with the treatment of ocular diseases. 90% of the ophthalmic dosage forms are given topically. However, following the topical route, only 5% ocular bioavailability is achieved. The aim of my work is to address the problems associated with the conventional topical application. The present study investigated the preparation and characterization of Eosin Y (a model photosensitizer) liposomes loaded p-HEMA hydrogel films and its in vitro release profile triggered by an external stimulus (Argon Ion Laser). |A validated HPLC method was developed for quantification of Eosin Y in aqueous medium as per USP guidelines. The delivery system was prepared by dissolving Eosin Y loaded liposomes in the monomer solution (2-HEMA –EGDMA) using ammonium persulfate as the initiator of reaction for the formation of pHEMA hydrogel films. This delivery system showed 60% transmittance in the visible light region and 49% moisture content. In absence of laser, the in vitro release of free Eosin Y and Eosin Y loaded liposome from the hydrogel matrix were 24.3 ± 3.5% and 0.47 ± 0.1% respectively which were increased to 35.9 ± 6.8% and 0.79 ± 0.3% and 43.2 ± 19.4% and 1.0 ± 0.6% in presence of 5 and 10 minutes of Argon Ion laser (514nm) exposure, respectively.|The in vitro release data indicated that liposomal formulation was acting as a barrier to the release of drug in addition to the hydrogel matrix. The drug release can be triggered by an external laser stimulus whose exposure time can be manipulated to optimize the release profile. |This drug delivery device can benefit millions of people suffering from anterior eye diseases like dry eye, glaucoma (3.2 million of women of the United States suffer from dry eye, nearly 2.7 million Americans suffer from Glaucoma).
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