Study of drug release from hydrogel contact lens containing coacervated drugs

Poorly soluble lidocaine and lipophilic Vitamin E were phase-separated and polymerized with monomer to form contact lenses. The physical properties and drug release of the manufactured lenses were studied. The used drugs were lidocaine, for local anesthesia, and Vitamin E, anti-cataract effect. The HEMA lenses were thermally polymerized with coacervated lidocaine and Vitamin E. We measured the light transmittance and water content of drug-containing contact lenses. Optical microscopes and particle size analyzers were used for surface and particle analysis. As a result, the light transmittance of the coacervation drug lens was lower than that of the no-drug lens. However, water content of coacervated drug lens was slightly increased and the drug releasing period was prolonged. The preparation of coacervated drugs enables sustained release of the hardly soluble drugs in the lens. The contact lenses containing coacervated drugs can be used as drug delivery lenses for the prolonged treatment of eye diseases.