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Stimulus-Responsive Contact Lens for IOP Measurement or Temperature-Triggered Drug Release
Se-Hee Lee1,2, Kyung-Sik Shin3, Jae-Woo Kim4
1Department of Optometry and Vision Science, College of Medical Science, Catholic University of Daegu, Kyungsan City, Korea.
Translational Vision Science & Technology
|August 21, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a novel contact lens for continuous glaucoma monitoring and treatment. The lens measures intraocular pressure (IOP) optically and delivers medication via temperature-triggered elution, offering a new approach for managing glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Glaucoma management requires continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) due to its circadian variations and response to medication.
- Timely drug delivery is crucial for reducing elevated IOP and preventing vision loss in glaucoma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel contact lens for simultaneous optical measurement of IOP and temperature-triggered drug elution.
- To assess the feasibility of continuous IOP monitoring and therapeutic drug delivery for glaucoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- A contact lens with moiré patterns was used to measure eyeball diameter changes correlated with IOP in a rabbit glaucoma model.
- Drug elution was achieved using a temperature-responsive nanogel carrier within a nanoporous bicontinuous microemulsion contact lens (BME-CL).
- IOP measurements and drug concentration in aqueous humor were assessed ex vivo and in vivo.
Main Results:
- Moiré pattern changes on the contact lens showed a direct proportionality to IOP fluctuations (3-40 mm Hg) and correlated with anterior chamber angle alterations.
- The BME-CL facilitated cumulative drug absorption up to 10.6 µg/mL in the aqueous humor over 7 days.
- A significant 33% decrease in IOP was observed within 3 hours post-drug elution.
Conclusions:
- Continuous IOP monitoring and treatment of elevated IOP are achievable using specialized contact lenses.
- Moiré pattern-inscribed contact lenses enable optical IOP measurement, while thermosensitive drug-eluting lenses facilitate targeted medication delivery.
