A research team at the University of Waterloo has developed a new method of delivering medication via contact lenses. With the help of a special hydrogel that is 3D-printed onto the lenses, active ingredients can be released continuously. This could significantly simplify the treatment of eye diseases.
This hydrogel, which can store water, is made of silicone-based material that hardens under UV light and is flexible and stable enough to withstand the strain of wearing. A key advantage of this method is the precise control over drug delivery. During the laboratory tests, the scientists used amoxicillin, a commonly used antibiotic to treat eye infections.
“Once we knew the hydrogel had good strength and flexibility, we decided to test its ability to hold and release drugs by using amoxicillin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic for ailments related to the eye,” said Shirley Tang, a Waterloo professor in the Department of Chemistry and Associate Dean, Research in the Faculty of Science.
The hydrogel is applied to the periphery of the contact lens using a special 3D printing process.
“This concept is much more efficient and easier to comply with than using eye drops, which are often difficult to insert for patients and need frequent administration over the day,” said Lyndon Jones, a Waterloo professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science and director of the Centre for Ocular Research & Education.
“After being encapsulated in the gel and stored for a month, the amoxicillin was found to have negligible changes,” said Sayan Ganguly, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry. “Our results showed that this hydrogel is safe for human eyes and can be effectively used in diverse biomedical applications.”
The results were published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials and underline the potential of 3D printing in biomedical research, especially for personalized therapies and patient-friendly solutions.
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