CHARACTERIZATION OF COMMERCIAL CONTACT LENSES FOR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

P. A. FACCIA , J. I. AMALVY

Congreso; 7 CONGRESO DE FEDOPTO ANTIOQUÍA; 2011

Federación Colombiana de Optómetras FEDOPTO

the aim of the present study is to evaluate and to compare the ability of silicone-based contact lens, with conventional HEMAbased CL, as drug reservoirs and their functionality as delivery systems using ciprofloxacin as model drug. The interactions between the drug and the CL network were studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Transmittance and water content were also determined.CF loading and release from commercial contact lenses were studied in this work. Both processes are related to the water content and with the type of material of the CL. The loading was higher for BLH than for BLHSi, and the equilibriums were reached between 60 and 90 min, and 11 min respectively. Only BLH CL released therapeutic concentration during a period of 3 hours for BLH. FTIR indicated a strong interaction between de CF and the BLH. This interaction may limitthe delivery of the drug. The transmittance was reduced in the 400 to 530 nm range as a consequence of the incorporation of CF.