(176as) Vitamin-E Integrated Contact Lenses for Glaucoma Treatment

normal">Title: Vitamin-E integrated contact lenses
for glaucoma treatment

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none;text-autospace:none">Purpose: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US">Glaucoma, an optic neuropathic syndrome is the leading cause of visual
field loss and permanent blindness in the world. This ocular ailment affects
around 66.8 million septuagenarians and induces bilateral blindness among 6.7
million. This ailment affects the quality of life by increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) and inducing bilateral blindness.
Prostaglandin analogs effectively treat glaucoma. Low corneal bioavailability
(<5%) of daily-instilled prostaglandin drops complemented by frequent
application results in low patient compliance (<50%). One alternative route
is ocular delivery via a commercial hydrogel contact lens. Commercial lenses,
however, release prostaglandins rapidly in a few hours owing to their small
molecular size, resulting in toxic side-effects. background:white"> A novel lens design approach involving the integration
of vitamin-E barriers along with a stable tint in the contact lens matrix is
explored. mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US">

none;text-autospace:none">Methods: Here, the feasibility of sustained prostaglandin, namely bimatoprost
and latanoprost delivery by vitamin-E integrated polymeric hydrogels is
explored. Lens immersion in vitamin E concentrated ethanol is done to
facilitate swelling, allowing rapid intake of vitamin-E and creation of in situ diffusion barriers
post-immersion in buffer solution. The inclusion of these barriers is expected
to augment transport resistance and influence delivery rates. Nanobarrier depot
incorporation ensures the absence of visible light scattering, lens opacity,
and leaching. The characterization of the vitamin-E modified lenses is done
through absorptivity and transmittance measurements.

none;text-autospace:none"> mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US">

none;text-autospace:none">Results: minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Pilot in vitro
studies indicate that ACUVUE® OASYS® mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">and ACUVUE®
TruEye® minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">lenses loaded
with 0.2 g of vitamin-E/g of hydrogel effectively prolong bimatoprost dynamics
by 10–40-fold, delivering therapeutic dosages for >10 days. Vitamin-E integrated
commercial lenses retain > 90% visible light transparency and screen >
95% of the UVB and UVC spectra. Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US"> Further, vitamin-E integration
does not influence latanoprost transport. An normal">in vivo model involving coupled mass transport in the lens and
post-lens tear film (POLTF) domains predicts >50% corneal bioavailability of
bimatoprost delivered via modified lenses.

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Conclusions: The
induction of vitamin-E nanobarriers into contact lenses is explored for
effective glaucoma treatment. mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Commercial ACUVUE®
TruEye® and ACUVUE® OASYS® mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">with > 20% vitamin-E loading show sustained delivery of bimatoprost > 10 days. background:white">These bioengineered soft contact lenses provide a threefold
benefit including drug delivery at therapeutic dosages, enhanced patient
compliance and, serve as ocular vehicles for effective glaucoma management.

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