title: Sustained antibiotic release from an intraocular lens-hydrogel assembly for cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a simple, novel polymeric drug-delivery device for prevention of postoperative bacterial infection after cataract surgery in the developing world.
  
  
  METHODS
  A poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel was developed to achieve sustained release characteristics of antibiotics. The in vitro antibiotic release kinetics and efficacy of antibiotic function were tested using a silicone biofilm model. In vivo feasibility was investigated using a rabbit model. The control group of rabbits underwent standard cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implant and postoperative topical antibiotic and steroid. The experimental group received the polymeric device inserted with standard three-piece IOL at the time of surgery and received only topical steroids postoperatively. In vivo intraocular antibiotic levels and outcomes after cataract surgery were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The in vitro studies demonstrate the antibiotic release kinetics can be controlled by optimization of the surface coating. The in vivo results showed sustained sufficient antibiotic concentration (above minimum inhibitory concentration for most common bacteria related to endophthalmitis) for >4 weeks. There was minimum toxicity observed in vivo. The device was effective in treating induced intraocular infection after cataract surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The initial findings of the polymeric drug-delivery device demonstrate the feasibility delivering sufficient antibiotic in the anterior chamber for the immediate postoperative period in a rabbit model. The device is simple to produce and may help alleviate the potential postsurgical infections in the developing nations.
authors: University of Washington Eye Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors: Shai
authors: S
authors: Garty
authors: Rika
authors: R
authors: Shirakawa
authors: Adelaide
authors: A
authors: Warsen
authors: Erin M
authors: EM
authors: Anderson
authors: Misty L
authors: ML
authors: Noble
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Bryers
authors: Buddy D
authors: BD
authors: Ratner
authors: Tueng T
authors: TT
authors: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D023421:Models, Animal; D009643:Norfloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D009643:Norfloxacin