Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses
Published on: April 6, 2016
Release of betaine and dexpanthenol from vitamin E modified silicone-hydrogel contact lenses
Kuan-Hui Hsu1, Percy Lazon de la Jara, Amali Ariyavidana
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA .
Purpose:
To develop a contact lens system that will control the release of an osmoprotectant and a moisturizing agent with the aim to reduce symptoms of ocular dryness.
Materials And Methods:
Profiles of the release of osmoprotectant betaine and moisturizing agent dexpanthenol from senofilcon A and narafilcon B contact lenses were determined in vitro under sink conditions. Both types of lenses were also infused with vitamin E to increase the duration of drug release due to the formation of the vitamin E diffusion barriers in the lenses. The release profiles from vitamin E-infused lenses were compared with those from the control lenses.
Results:
Both dexpanthenol and betaine are released from commercial silicone hydrogel lenses for only about 10 min. Vitamin E loadings into contact lenses at about 20-23% can increase the release times to about 10 h, which is about 60 times larger compared to the control unmodified lenses.
Conclusions:
Vitamin E-loaded silicone hydrogel contact lenses released betaine and dexpanthenol in a controlled fashion.
