National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) experts say they have developed biodegradable lenses for inflammatory eye diseases, which dissolve in minutes in the eye and gradually release a drug load.

This ophthalmic film, loaded with dexamethasone, allows the controlled release of the active ingredient and a better dosage for optimal recovery. They can be used to deliver an auxiliary drug to treat conditions such as uveitis, which could lead to blindness if not treated appropriately.

The team of scientists, headed by pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology specialist José Escobar-Chávez, say their invention makes application relatively easy and as their polymers are soluble in water, they disintegrate when they come into contact with the ocular fluid and the waste is expelled.

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea (vascular layer of the eye), one of the causes of the redness of that organ; It is usually accompanied by burning, itching, tearing and decreased visual acuity and can be caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, or non-infectious ones such as contamination or increasingly excessive use of mobile devices.

The researchers said the lens was intended to increase the time that the drug remains in the ocular mucosa to optimise its effectiveness. With conventional drops, they said, the liquid is expelled almost immediately via tears and only five percent of the active substance is used, but as the lenses created in the UNAM disintegrate in minutes, the full dose is achieved without needing to administer drops frequently.

A patent application for the lenses has already been filed.