An ocular iontophoretic device using PEDOT electrode for local drug delivery.

An ocular iontophoretic device using a biocompatible planar PEDOT electrode is reported. In vivo experiments on rabbit eyes demonstrated that the device can realize ocular iontophoresis effectively, simply, and conveniently. Compared with conventional eye cups, this device can be placed under the eyelid and deliver ions through a small area on the eyeball, reducing tissue damage during ion penetration. Devices were fabricated in different sizes for different cases. The efficiency was a function of the current, work time and solvent water content. The highest iontophoretic efficiency observed in the in vivo experiments was 396 ng/mL, while the efficiency observed in the controlled experiments was only 2.69 ng/mL. The temperature distribution was simulated and measured, and thermal injuries were not observed under an applied current of 1.5 mA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]