%0 Journal Article
%A Serramito Blanco, María
%A Pereira da Mota, Ana Filipa
%A Carpena Torres, Carlos
%A Huete Toral, Fernando
%A Álvarez Lorenzo, Carmen Isabel
%A Carracedo Rodríguez, Juan Gonzalo
%T Melatonin-Eluting Contact Lenses Effect on Tear Volume: In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments
%D 2022
%@ 1999-4923
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/73336
%X Background: The purpose of this study was to synthesize melatonin-eluting contact lenses (CLs) and evaluate both the ocular kinetics of the released melatonin and its effect on tear volume and intraocular pressure.Methods: In vitro, melatonin-eluting CLs were synthesized by using non-functionalized (HEMA) and functionalized (HEMA/APMA) monomers. In vivo, a short-term prospective and randomized study was performed on 15 rabbits divided into two groups: 12 rabbits wearing functionalized CLs and 3 rabbits without CLs as a control. The melatonin levels in tears, aqueous humor, vitreous body and retina, tear volume, and intraocular pressure were measured for 8 h. Results: In vitro, both monomers did not show differences in terms of melatonin loading and release (p ≥ 0.05). In vivo, the melatonin concentration was elevated in tears and aqueous humor after 2 and 4 h of wearing CLs, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CLs increased tear volume for 2 h (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The melatonin-eluting CLs released their content over the ocular surface for at least 2 h, which was associated with a secretagogue effect on tear volume. However, the increased amount of melatonin found in the aqueous humor had no effect on intraocular pressure.
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