Role of micelle dynamics in enhancing cyclosporine uptake in hyaluronic acid-contact lenses for improved critical lens properties in dry eye management

Abstract

Loading hydrophobic drugs, such as cyclosporine, into contact lenses for dry eye treatment is challenging due to low drug uptake during soaking and alterations in critical lens properties, including wettability, water content, and optical transmission. This study aimed to investigate the role of micelle dynamics in enhancing cyclosporine loading into hyaluronic acid (HA)-contact lenses while improving their critical properties. The findings indicate that Pluronic® F127 (342 nm) and Tween® 80 (296 nm) micelles could encapsulate cyclosporine within the lens core, with Pluronic® F127 demonstrating superior surface tension on Langmuir-Blodgett trough compared to Tween® 80. The uptake of cyclosporine-loaded micelles (13.43–20.92 µg) was higher compared to cyclosporine without micelles (CY-CL = 8.80 µg). Moreover, the cyclosporine-loaded micelles improved the lens’s contact angle (wettability), equilibrium water content, and optical transmission compared to cyclosporine without micelles. The in vitro test showed sustained release of cyclosporine from contact lenses over 120 h or 96 h using Pluronic®-micelles or Tween® 80-micelles, respectively. In animal study, the 0.05% w/v Pluronic® F127-CL and 0.0015% w/v Tween 80-CL lenses showed an initial release of 2.54 µg/ml and 3.59 µg/ml, respectively, with the release profile extending over 48 h. Wear of the micelle-laden lenses resulted in lower levels of IL-6 compared to cyclosporine eye drops. In conclusion, Pluronic® F127 micelles demonstrated greater stability, sustained release, and improved outcomes compared to Tween® 80 micelles. These findings suggest the potential of micelles-laden contact lenses as a promising alternative to eye drops for improved dry eye management.