Preparation and Characterization Studies of Dorzolamide Loaded Ophthalmic Implants for the Treatment of Glaucoma

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to construct dorzolamide loaded ophthalmic implants for extended drug delivery and increased drug retention
METHODS: Carboxymethyl cellulose and Chitosan were used to formulate the ophthalmic implants. The implants were prepared by solvent casting technique in existence of polyethylene glycol 6000 as plasticizer. Physiochemical characterization studies including mechanical characteristics (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus), bioadhesion studies, in vitro and ex vivo drug release studies were conducted.
RESULTS: Tensile strength of drug loaded ophthalmic implants were 10.70 and 11.68 MPa respectively. Elongation at break of Carboxymethyl cellulose and Chitosan implants were 62.00% and 59.05% respectively. The in vitro release profiles fit into the Higuchi type kinetic model. Ex vivo release study results for both implants were correlated with in vitro release investigations.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Carboxymethyl cellulose and Chitosan based implants provide extended drug delivery. Implants were prepared by using carboxymethyl cellulose provide significantly slower in vitro release rate, and the drug retention on ocular surfaces has been increased. Thus, it has been concluded that, dorzolamide loaded carboxymethyl cellulose implants could provide effective treatment for glaucoma.