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Abstract
The feasibility of using miniosmotic pumps in conjunction with specifically targeted liposomes to deliver agents directly to the ocular lenses of rabbits in vivo was examined in a pilot study. Concanavalin A was used to provide specific targeting of the vesicles to the lenses of the treated eyes. Seven days after pump installation, the animals were sacrificed and tissue samples from both control and treated eyes were examined for the presence of the administered agent. Four animals were treated with liposomally encapsulated Sorbinil and specific delivery to the lenses of the treated eyes was demonstrated by fluorescence spectroscopy. Two other animals were treated with liposomally encapsulated 3H-8-MOP, and specific delivery of the drug to the treated lenses was demonstrated by phosphorescence spectroscopy and by liquid scintillation counting. The drugs delivered to the treated eyes could not be detected in any of the tissues or fluids of the contralateral control eyes. Except for the ocular lens, these agents could not be demonstrated to any substantial degree in the other tissues of the treated eyes.