A novel capsular tension ring as local sustained-release carrier for preventing posterior capsule opacification

One of the most important and challenging goals in pharmaceutical prevention for posterior capsule opacification is to preserve an effective drug concentration in capsular bag for a long period without affecting the patients' vision. Here, a novel kind of composite, which was prepared by 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) via a two-step process, was applied for capsular tension ring (CTR) as an implant that could deliver docetaxel (DTX) over a long period of time. The drug release rate of the composite could be controlled by the ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) content and the ratio of HEMA/MMA as well as the structure of porous PMMA framework. The CTR could continuously release DTX for up to 6 weeks in vitro and maintain DTX in effective concentration in the aqueous humor after 42 days. Docetaxel-load capsular tension ring (DTX-CTR) presented strong inhibition on the lens epithelial cells in-vivo without obvious damage to normal tissues. These results indicate that the drug sustained-release CTR can provide a promising application in posterior capsule opacification prevention.