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Iontophoretic targeting of drug delivery in the eye via the suprachoroidal space
Author(s) -
Jung J.H.,
Chiang B.,
Prausnitz M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.02145
Subject(s) - iontophoresis , medicine , ophthalmology , radiology
Summary Suprachoroidal space ( SCS ) injection has been developed using a microneedle to increase bioavailability of drugs. For many indications, the site of action is near the posterior pole, so targeting delivery within the SCS toward the back of the eye is of interest. Therefore, we hypothesize applying electric current (i.e., iontophoresis) can drive drugs having charge to specific areas within the SCS . To test this hypothesis, we injected fluorescent particles using a 30G hollow microneedle into rabbit eyes ex vivo. First, negatively charged particles were infused using the microneedle embedded a Ag/AgCl electrode, and then iontophoresis was applied to generate an electric current (0.14 mA for 3 min) between the injection site and the optic nerve where the other Ag/AgCl electrode was attached. After injection of 100 μ L without iontophoresis, we found 38% of particles were in the most anterior quadrant of the SCS (<3 mm from the limbus) and 9% of particles were in the most posterior quadrant of the SCS (>9 mm from the limbus). In the presence of iontophoresis, the number of particles found in the most anterior quadrant was almost cut in half to 20% and the number of particles in the most posterior quadrant was almost doubled to 17%.