Morphological Characteristics of Drug-Eluting Biodegradable Polymeric Thin Films Developed on the Surface of Intraocular Lenses by Three Techniques: A Comparative Study

Athanasios Karamitsos; Lampros Lamprogiannis; Varvara Karagkiozaki; Aphrodite Koutsogianni; Zena Chakim; Nikolaos G Ziakas; Ioannis Tsinopoulos; Stergios Logothetidis

doi:10.7759/cureus.19674

Morphological Characteristics of Drug-Eluting Biodegradable Polymeric Thin Films Developed on the Surface of Intraocular Lenses by Three Techniques: A Comparative Study

Cureus. 2021 Nov 17;13(11):e19674. doi: 10.7759/cureus.19674. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Authors

Athanasios Karamitsos^{1

2}, Lampros Lamprogiannis^{3

2}, Varvara Karagkiozaki², Aphrodite Koutsogianni², Zena Chakim², Nikolaos G Ziakas¹, Ioannis Tsinopoulos¹, Stergios Logothetidis²

Affiliations

¹ 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Papageorgiou General Hospital / Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC.
² Lab for Thin Films - Nanobiomaterials - Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC.
³ Department of Ophthalmology, North Middlesex University Hospital, London, GBR.

Abstract

Background Cataract surgery is a very popular operation that requires a postoperative period of frequent instillation of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Modified drug-eluting intraocular lenses (IOLs) may eliminate the need for eye drops after surgery. Aim The purpose of this study is to compare the morphological characteristics of dexamethasone eluting biodegradable polymeric thin films developed on the surface of commercially available IOLs by three different methods. Method This experimental study was conducted between May and August of 2021 in the Lab for Thin Films - Nanobiomaterials - Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A mixture of two organic polymers [Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA), lactide: glycolide (75:25) and Polycaprolactone (PCL)] and dexamethasone was prepared and then deposited on the surface of three-piece IOLs by spin coating, by spray coating, and by gravure printing. The modified IOLs were sterilized with the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and plasma treatment. Their structural properties were studied with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results Spin coating and gravure printing produced uniform thin films on the surface of the IOLs which were not damaged during the sterilization process. Spray coating led to the partial coating of the surface of the IOLs; the thin films underwent alterations following plasma treatment. Conclusions Thin films developed by spin coating and gravure printing on IOLs demonstrate the desired morphological characteristics that make them suitable candidates for further research.

Keywords: cataract; dexamethasone; intraocular lens; nanotechnology; ocular drug delivery; thin films.

Grants and funding

This research is co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund- ESF) through the Operational Programme “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014- 2020” in the context of the project “Design, Characterization and Study of Pharmacologically Modified Intraocular Lenses-Intraocular Implants with the Purpose of Surgical Treatment of Cataract and Postoperative Inflammation - in vitro & in vivo study” (MIS 504789).