Intraocular lens as a drug delivery system for dexamethasone.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an intraocular lens (IOL) coated with dexamethasone on postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery.


METHODS
Clear lens extraction was performed bilaterally in eight 8-week-old rabbits. An uncoated silicone IOL (CeeOn; AMO, Santa Ana, CA, USA) was implanted in one randomly selected eye. In the other eye, the same silicone IOL model was implanted but was coated with dexamethasone. Aqueous humour was obtained preoperatively and on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 postoperatively. Three inflammatory parameters were measured and compared between the eyes: prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), white blood cell (WBC) count and protein content. The animals were killed on day 28 postoperatively.


RESULTS
PGE2 levels measured on days 1, 3 and 7 were significantly lower in eyes with a coated IOL compared to eyes with an uncoated IOL (p < 0.01). The WBC count was significantly lower in eyes with a coated IOL on days 1 (p < 0.01) and 3 (p < 0.05). There was significantly less protein in eyes with a coated IOL on days 1 and 3 (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Coating a silicone IOL with dexamethasone significantly reduced postoperative inflammation after clear lens extraction in rabbits.
Kugelberg
Maria
M
St Erik's Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. maria.kugelberg@sankterik.se
Shafiei
Kayvan
K
van der Ploeg
Ingeborg
I
Zetterström
Charlotta
C
D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015232:Dinoprostone