title: A prototype antifungal contact lens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design a contact lens to treat and prevent fungal ocular infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Curved contact lenses were created by encapsulating econazole-impregnated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) films in poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) by ultraviolet photopolymerization. Release studies were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C with continuous shaking. The contact lenses and their release media were tested in an antifungal assay against Candida albicans. Cross sections of the pre- and postrelease contact lenses were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and by Raman spectroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Econazole-eluting contact lenses provided extended antifungal activity against Candida albicans fungi. Fungicidal activity varied in duration and effectiveness depending on the mass of the econazole-PLGA film encapsulated in the contact lens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An econazole-eluting contact lens could be used as a treatment for fungal ocular infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ciolino
authors.forename: Sarah P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Ashley N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mobbs
authors.forename: Todd R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Hoare
authors.forename: Naomi G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Gerald R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kohane
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control; D003890:Desiccation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004464:Econazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D004464:Econazole