Targeted Drug Delivery to the Cornea of the Eye Via Medicated Contact Lenses and Mucoadhesive Thin Films
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Optometry and Vision Sciences
Abstract
A healthy cornea, the clear tissue at the front of the eye, is essential for vision. If it becomes infected or diseased, however, vision can be lost. Infection can occur because of viruses, parasites, fungi or bacteria, and the problem is serious. A bacterial infection of the eye called trachoma, as one example, is the world's leading cause of preventable blindness. It is highly contagious, with around 41 million people, mostly women and children in the developing world, infected. Traditionally, eye drops containing medicines are used to treat corneal disease or infection, but this is highly inefficient because the drug is immediately diluted by tears and most of the dose is washed away within a few blinks. Our research will develop drug-loaded contact lenses and purpose-made biodegradable thin films that can be applied to the eye for the effective and controlled-release delivery of disease-specific medications to the cornea to treat a wide range of potentially blinding conditions.
Publications
Baba K
(2021)
The generation of fluorometholone nanocrystal eye drops, their metabolization to dihydrofluorometholone and penetration into rabbit eyes.
in International journal of pharmaceutics
Bu J
(2019)
Hyperlipidemia induces meibomian gland dysfunction.
in The ocular surface
Bu J
(2020)
Hyperlipidemia Affects Tight Junctions and Pump Function in the Corneal Endothelium.
in The American journal of pathology
Wu Y
(2020)
High-fat diet induces dry eye-like ocular surface damages in murine.
in The ocular surface
Morgan SR
(2020)
Controlled in vitro delivery of voriconazole and diclofenac to the cornea using contact lenses for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
in International journal of pharmaceutics
Description | We have found evidence of how medicines can be released from contact lenses to help treat eye problems. |
Exploitation Route | Possible commercialisation |
Sectors | Healthcare |
Description | Sian 2019 CITER Engagement Award |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Dr Sian Morgan won the CITER (Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair) Contribution and Engagement Award in Sept 2019 for her wide ranging activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Sian CITER Engagement Chair |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Dr Sian Morgan is Chair of the CITER (Cardiff institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair) Engagement Committee, which drives all aspects of public engagement of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the region. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Sian Green Man |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | DR Sian Morgan manned the very popular stand "Einstein's Garden" at the Green Man Music and Culture Festival in mid-Wales in 2019 (Aug 2019) for 4 days. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Sian MEDIC Taster Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Sian Morgan presented at Cardiff University School of Medicine Taster Day (June 2019), where she demonstrated the ocular diseases activity to prospective students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Sian Science and Health |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Sian Morgan presented at the event "Science in Health Live" at which she demonstrated the blood, bones and gory bits to secondary school children on the CITER (Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair) stand (March 2019 & March 2020) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Sian drug deliver 6 form talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Sian Morgan presented a talk titled "Drug delivery to the cornea of the eye" at the CITER (Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair) Society seminar for 6th-form students from around South Wales in Dec 2019 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |