Search

Open globe trauma is the major cause for single eye blindness that stem from subsequent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Though biomaterials and tissue engineering have significantly advanced drug delivery and management of human diseases, currently there is no effective drug formulation or device to pharmacologically mitigate PVR formation after open-globe eye trauma. This highlighted the challenge we are facing to bring the technology from bench to bedside. The current study reported an engineered episcleral drug film using biodegradable material, Poly(L-lactide)- co -poly(ɛ -caprolactone), and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) as a model drug. The film can be conveniently sized into any shape to fit the configuration of the eye globe trauma and easily installed onto the ruptured sclera during primary trauma repair surgery. The film allows therapeutic TA to slow release for at least 6 months without toxicity and demonstrated a significant benefit to reduce the odds of developing severe PVR by 5.7 times when compared with a no-drug film control on a rabbit trauma PVR model. Our results suggested this micro episcleral drug film as promising drug delivery carrier for the targeted treatment of various unwanted retinal proliferation diseases. [Display omitted] • P(LLA-CL) film provides 4-month zero-order release of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) • The film can be tailored to any configuration to cover eye globe trauma at sclera • Duration of drug release may be customized by altering thickness of the film • The film self-degrades from sclera surface over time without adverse effect • The episcleral TA-film mitigates open-globe trauma induced PVR formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]