New drug delivery system in ophthalmology: results studying the surface structure of soft contact lenses from various polymer

¹ Belgorod State National Research University, 308015, Belgorod, Russia
² Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia”, 117198, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: ezhilyakova@bsu.edu.ru

Abstract

The development of an ophthalmic therapeutic system includes research on the spatial structure of soft contact lens polymers and the study of the processes of saturation and release of medicinal substances from them. This allows you to determine the methods of saturation of contact lenses with medicinal agents and will open up new opportunities in the treatment of ophthalmological diseases. The purpose of this preliminary fragment of large-scale research was to study the surface structure of soft contact lenses made of various polymers. The following polymers were used in the work: Nelfilcon A, Hilafilcon B, Nezofilcon A, Etafilcon A, Lotrafilcon B. The following pharmaceutical substances were used: Brimonidine Tartrate, Betaxolol Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride. The surface structure of soft contact lenses was studied using atomic force microscopy. Each material under study has a different surface character, which together with the differences in pore properties determines its individuality. Based on this, it should be assumed that the surface of soft contact lenses affects the possibility of their potential use as a means of delivering drug agent molecules to the eye tissues. In all cases of soft contact saturation, the highest absorption capacity was demonstrated by Hilafilcon B and Etafilcon A with a similar surface.