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Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

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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...

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Enhanced Riboflavin Stromal Delivery Using Microchannel-Assisted Iontophoresis for Corneal Crosslinking.

Rohan Joshi^1,2, Samantha Bradford¹, Shangbang Luo¹

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California - Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.

Translational Vision Science & Technology

|March 18, 2025

Summary

Combining iontophoresis with femtosecond laser-generated microchannels significantly enhances riboflavin stromal delivery and corneal crosslinking (CXL) efficacy. This novel approach reduces treatment time for effective CXL, improving patient outcomes.

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Second Harmonic Generation Signals in Rabbit Sclera As a Tool for Evaluation of Therapeutic Tissue Cross-linking TXL for Myopia

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Published on: January 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Biomedical Engineering
Corneal Science

Background:

Corneal crosslinking (CXL) is crucial for treating progressive ectatic disorders.
Efficient riboflavin (Rf) stromal delivery is key for effective CXL.
Current methods for Rf delivery can be time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate if combining iontophoresis with femtosecond laser-generated epithelial microchannels (MCs) can accelerate Rf stromal delivery.
To assess the impact of this combined approach on subsequent corneal crosslinking (CXL) efficacy.
To determine if this method reduces the overall procedure time for CXL.

Main Methods:

Eighty-four ex vivo rabbit eyes were used, divided into iontophoresis alone, iontophoresis with MCs, and MCs alone groups.
Epithelial microchannels (MCs) were created using a femtosecond laser.
Riboflavin (Rf) stromal concentration was measured spectrophotometrically; in vivo, collagen autofluorescence (CAF) assessed CXL efficacy.

Main Results:

Combining iontophoresis with MCs increased stromal Rf concentration threefold in 5-10 minutes compared to iontophoresis alone.
The iontophoresis + MC group showed a fourfold higher CAF intensity in vivo than iontophoresis alone.
This combined method achieved results comparable to MC alone but in significantly less time.

Conclusions:

MCs and low-current iontophoresis significantly enhance stromal Rf concentration.
The combined treatment accelerates Rf delivery and increases CXL efficacy.
This approach offers a faster and more effective method for corneal crosslinking.