Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens as a drug-delivery system: Pilot study
Guy Kleinmann1, David J Apple, Jesse Chew
1David J Apple, MD, Laboratories for Ophthalmic Devices Research, John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. guy.kleinmann@hsc.utah.edu
Purpose:
To evaluate the ability of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) to serve as a drug-delivery system for commercially available gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin.
Setting:
David J. Apple, MD, Laboratories for Ophthalmic Devices Research, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Methods:
Hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (C-flex, Rayner Ltd.), presoaked for 24 hours in commercially available solutions of gatifloxacin (Zymar) or moxifloxacin (Vigamox), were implanted in the capsular bag of 6 rabbits for a total of 12 eyes (6 in each group). Aqueous humor samples were taken 2, 4, and 6 hours after implantation. One rabbit served as a control and had nonpresoaked C-flex IOLs implanted. At the end of the operation, 1 drop of Vigamox was applied to the right eye and 1 drop of Zymar was applied to the left eye of the control rabbit.
Results:
High concentrations of both antibiotics were found in all the samples of the eyes implanted with the presoaked IOLs. The concentrations of the antibiotics decreased over time, but even the 6-hour sample concentrations were markedly higher than the concentrations found in the control rabbit after 4 hours.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that the Rayner C-flex IOL can be effective as a drug-delivery system for fourth-generation fluoroquinolones.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Delivery: Overview
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Pilot and Numeric Relaying
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Methods for Studying Drug Absorption: In vitro
The diffusion cell method uses a two-compartment cell, including a donor compartment with the drug solution, which simulates the environment where the drug is applied, and a receptor compartment with a buffer solution, which simulates the environment...


