To improve the efficiency of topical ocular drug
administration, we focused on development of a nanoparticles
loaded contact lens to deliver the hydrophobic drug over a
prolonged period of time. The cross-linked nanoparticles
based on PCL (poly ε-caprolactone), 2-hydroxy ethyl
methacrylate (HEMA), and poly ethylene glycol diacrylate
(PEG-DA) were prepared by surfactant-free miniemulsion
polymerization. The lens material was prepared through
photopolymerization of HEMA and N-vinylpyrrolidone
(NVP) using PEG-DA as the cross-linker. Effects of nanoparticles
loading on critical contact lens properties such as
transparency, water content, modulus and ion and oxygen
permeabilities were studied. Nanoparticles and hydrogel
showed high viability, indicating the absence of cytotoxicity and stimulatory effect. Drug release studies revealed that the
hydrogel embedded with nanoparticles released the drug for a period of 12 days. The results of this study provide evidence that
nanoparticles loaded hydrogels could be used for extended delivery of loteprednol etabonate and perhaps other drugs.
کلید واژگان :
contact lens, nanoparticle, hydrogel, ocular drug dlivery
