Optimization of intraocular lens hydrogels for dual drug release: Experimentation and modelling

Topical administration of both antibiotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after cataract removal surgery is usually recommended to avoid infection and inflammatory process development. In this work, a HEMA/MMA based hydrogel was developed as a platform for simultaneous release of an antibiotic (moxifloxacin) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac). Initially, hydrogels with different HEMA/MMA compositions and cross-linking contents were produced and loaded separately with moxifloxacin and diclofenac. The in vitro release profiles of the drugs from the hydrogels were obtained and a mathematical model was employed to estimate the concentration in vivo induced by such systems. The most promising hydrogel was then sequentially loaded with diclofenac and moxifloxacin, and the same mathematical model was applied to the in vitro release results. The results suggest that the dual-drug loaded hydrogel could potentially release effective amounts of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for three weeks. Nonetheless, adjustment of the concentration profiles can be achieved for example by tailoring of the loading conditions.