OCULAR DRUG INCORPORATION VEHICLE, POLYMERIZATION MOLD AND PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SUCH OCULAR DRUG INCORPORATION VEHICLE

There are different methods of drug application for the treatment of ocular diseases. The simplest and most common is topical application in the form of eye drops, but this has the disadvantage of low bioavailability of the drug to internal ocular tissues since between 1 and 5% of the amount administered reaches the internal ocular tissues.. Other treatment methods are intravitreal microinjections or iontophoresis. However, these methods may modify the structure of the eyes and produce side effects. The use of lenses capable of releasing/dispensing drugs, in which the active ingredient is released in a controlled manner and directly in contact with the cornea, promotes the penetration of the active ingredient and is more efficient method. However, the few state-of-the-art drug-eluting lenses have a number of limitations or disadvantages. The first of these is the lack of transparency of the lens when its use is prolonged over time. Another disadvantage lies in the manufacture of the lens, since the drug is incorporated into the lens by immersing it in a solution with a high concentration of the drug, which prevents, a posteriori, the correct release of the drug once it is implanted. Thirdly, the use of high temperature curing processes, or other techniques necessary the polymer cure in the manufacture of the lens may affect the stability of the drug and its therapeutic effect. Consequently, there is a need to develop new delivery systems that solve the above problems.