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Iontophoresis technology provides long-lasting drug delivery with single application
 John Sheppard |
ROME — A new iontophoresis system designed to deliver medication to the eye facilitates long-term treatment in a single dose.
Low-level electrical current is used to ionize a drug and modify the permeability of the cells, enhancing penetration.
"Very high concentrations of the drug remain in the eye for a long period of time," John Sheppard, MD, said at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology. "We found that with this technology, delivery of steroidal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or even glaucoma medications can be accomplished with a single 3-minute application and an enduring effect of at least 4 to 6 weeks or even more."
The EyeGate iontophoresis technology is currently undergoing phase 3 trials for uveitis and dry eye.
"Many chronic diseases require repeated treatment, leading to patient compliance issues, cost issues, sometimes preservative issues. A noninvasive method of delivering and maintaining the drug in the eye for a long period of time is a wonderful way out of that," Dr. Sheppard said.
The method also presents a good opportunity to deliver medication preoperatively, 1 to 3 days prior to cataract or refractive surgery, and eliminate the need for drops, according to Dr. Sheppard.
- Disclosure: Dr. Sheppard is on the EyeGate advisory board and receives research grants.