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Related Concept Videos

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems01:23

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems01:21

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems01:26

Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...
Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes01:22

Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes

Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection,  and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
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 through the...
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated01:30

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated

Stimuli-activated drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs in response to specific physical, chemical, or biological stimuli. These systems often utilize hydrogels—three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of swelling in aqueous environments and retaining significant fluid volumes. Upon exposure to particular stimuli, these hydrogels undergo structural transitions that allow the embedded drug to be released. Due to this adaptive behavior, such systems are also called...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
08:28

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Published on: April 6, 2016

A drug-eluting contact lens.

Joseph B Ciolino1, Todd R Hoare, Naomi G Iwata

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|January 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary

This study developed a novel drug-eluting contact lens using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) for sustained ocular drug delivery, demonstrating over four weeks of controlled release and antimicrobial effectiveness.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmic drug delivery
  • Biomaterials science
  • Polymer chemistry

Background:

  • Controlled drug release systems are crucial for effective ocular therapeutics.
  • Traditional eye drop administration faces challenges with patient compliance and rapid drug clearance.
  • Development of advanced drug delivery platforms is needed to improve treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To formulate and characterize a novel drug-eluting contact lens.
  • To achieve extended and controlled release of therapeutic agents.
  • To evaluate the potential of this platform for ocular drug delivery.

Main Methods:

  • Prototype contact lenses fabricated using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) films coated with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA).
  • Encapsulation of model drugs (fluorescein, ciprofloxacin) within PLGA films.
  • Characterization via scanning electron microscopy and in vitro release studies in phosphate-buffered saline.
  • Antimicrobial efficacy testing of eluted ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

  • Prototype lenses exhibited controlled drug release with zero-order kinetics for over 4 weeks, following a minimal initial burst.
  • Drug release rates were tunable by adjusting the drug-to-PLGA ratio and PLGA molecular mass.
  • Both PLGA and pHEMA components influenced the release kinetics.
  • Eluted ciprofloxacin demonstrated sustained antimicrobial activity against sensitive Staphylococcus aureus strains.

Conclusions:

  • A pHEMA-coated, drug-PLGA film contact lens serves as a viable platform for sustained ocular drug delivery.
  • This technology holds potential for widespread therapeutic applications in ophthalmology.
  • The developed contact lens offers an improved alternative to conventional eye drop treatments.