Abstract
Presentation Description :
PURPOSE: To report some of the unexpected outcomes observed while studying extended delivery to the ocular surface with a drug eluting contact lens.
METHODS: Drug eluting contact lenses were manufactured to contain either latanoprost or dexamethasone. Drug flux studies were performed in New Zealand White Rabbits. For the latanoprost-eluting contact lenses, efficacy studies were performed in glaucomatous monkeys. For dexamethasone-eluting contact lenses, efficacy studies were conducted in anterior and posterior segment models of inflammation using New Zealand White rabbits.
RESULTS:
The drug-eluting contact lenses resulted in much higher ocular drug levels compared to ophthalmic drug solutions (eye drops). Latanoprost-eluting contact lenses produced a dose-responsive reduction in intraocular pressure – with high doses demonstrating superior efficacy than latanoprost eye drops. Dexemethasone-eluting contact lenses were found to be effective in both anterior and posterior segment inflammatory models. In the posterior segment model, the dexamethasone-eluting contact lenses were as effective as intravitreal steroid injections.
CONCLUSION: Drug-eluting contact lenses provided extended drug delivery to the ocular surface and in doing so, may have also delivered more drug to ocular tissues than eye drops. First-in-human studies are underway to determine if the efficacy observed in animal models is maintained in human ocular diseases.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.