Abstract:

Microemulsions are widely studied as potential ocular drug delivery vehicles. In the present study we show the versatility of possible use microemulsions as ocular delivery vehicle. The ME is loaded with a hydrophilic drug, riboflavin phosphate (RFP) and a lipophilic, docosahexaenoic acid in triglyceride form (TG-DHA), each sep. These drugs treat keratoconus and dry eye syndrome, resp. The advantage of using ME loaded with RFP is in overcoming eye epithelium debridement during collagen crosslinking therapy for treatment of keratoconus. ME loaded with lipophilic TG-DHA provides convenient dosage in liq. aq. form of administration of highly lipophilic TG-DHA, which is known as a protective mol. in dry eye syndrome. The capability of RFP-loaded MEs was demonstrated in terms of improvement of biomech. strength of the rabbit cornea, as a result of successful penetration of RFP through the intact epithelium. TG-DHA-loaded microemulsion applied topically onto an eye with induced dry eye syndrome showed the significant relief of the dry eye condition. [on SciFinder(R)]