Poloxamer-Based Thin Film Ocussert for Long-Term Sustained Delivery of Dorzolamide

Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the unique anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye that limit drug absorption. Conventional eye drops often have low bioavailability and short residence time on the ocular surface, requiring frequent dosing that leads to poor patient compliance. Ocular inserts or Ocussert offer a promising solution to these issues by providing controlled drug release and sustained therapeutic effects. We developed ocular inserts of dorzolamide using polymers namely polyvinyl alcohol and propylene glycol and poloxamer 407 P. The formulated dorzolamide ocular inserts were studied for in-vitro drug-release profile, ex-vivo transcorneal permeation and in-vivo efficacy in rabbits. An in-vitro study showed sustained release of dorzolamide from the ocular inserts for seven hours. Ex-vivo transcorneal permeability study demonstrated gradual transcorneal permeation of dorzolamide indicating extended-release characteristics. The in-vivo study further validated the efficacy of these inserts in decreasing intraocular pressure. It is concluded that the dorzolamide ocular inserts exhibit a controlled release profile and can serve as a potential treatment option for glaucoma patients.