Preparation of Molecularly Imprinted Hydrogel Contact Lenses for Extended Atropine Eluting

Abstract

The prevalence of myopia is becoming the primary public health issue globally. Low-concentration atropine showed a significant effect in controlling myopia progression. However, the dosage form of eye drops presents <5% ocular bioavailability and burst release. In this work, a series of molecularly imprinted hydrogel (MIP) contact lenses with different functional comonomers were prepared for atropine delivery, with non-imprinted hydrogel (NIP) contact lenses being fabricated for control. Key contact lens properties (including light transmission, water content, and surface wettability) and drug loading/release behavior were evaluated. According to our results, specific MIP adsorption onto atropine promoted drug loading capability while regulating drug release in contact lenses. By using methacrylic acid (MAA) and methacrylamide (MAm) to be the functional comonomers, the imprinted hydrogel (MIP-2) was most affiliative for atropine, which could delay in vitro drug release time up to 72 h, without affecting key properties of contact lenses. The cytotoxicity study indicated the good biocompatibility of MIPs, revealing their great potential as efficient ocular drug delivery systems for myopia control.