5-FU loaded pHEMA drainage implants for glaucoma-filtering surgery: Device design and in vitro release kinetics

Implantable monolithic and reservoir-like water-swellable drainage devices were developed for the subconjunctival sustained release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in glaucoma-filtering surgery. A water-swellable matrix was formed of a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with different amounts of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Drug incorporation was done before polymerization and cross-linking. Release of 5-FU from these implants was studied in vitro. The rate of drug release was controlled by changing the drug loading, crosslinking density of polymer matrix and type of implantable device.