Morphological Characteristics of Drug-Eluting Biodegradable Polymeric Thin Films Developed on the Surface of Intraocular Lenses by Three Techniques: A Comparative Study

Background Cataract surgery is a very popular operation that requires a postoperative period of frequent instillation of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. Modified drug-eluting intraocular lenses (IOLs) may eliminate the need for eye drops after surgery. Aim The purpose of this study is to compare the morphological characteristics of dexamethasone eluting biodegradable polymeric thin films developed on the surface of commercially available IOLs by three different methods. Method This experimental study was conducted between May and August of 2021 in the Lab for Thin Films - Nanobiomaterials - Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A mixture of two organic polymers [Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA), lactide: glycolide (75:25) and Polycaprolactone (PCL)] and dexamethasone was prepared and then deposited on the surface of three-piece IOLs by spin coating, by spray coating, and by gravure printing. The modified IOLs were sterilized with the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and plasma treatment. Their structural properties were studied with the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results Spin coating and gravure printing produced uniform thin films on the surface of the IOLs which were not damaged during the sterilization process. Spray coating led to the partial coating of the surface of the IOLs; the thin films underwent alterations following plasma treatment. Conclusions Thin films developed by spin coating and gravure printing on IOLs demonstrate the desired morphological characteristics that make them suitable candidates for further research.