Evaluation of dacryocystorhinostomy using optical coherence tomography and rebamipide ophthalmic suspension

Masahiro Fujimoto,1 Ken Ogino,1 Chika Miyazaki,1,2 Miou Hirose,1,3 Hiroko Matsuyama,1,4 Takeshi Moritera,1,5 Nagahisa Yoshimura1 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Hyogo Prefectural Tsukaguchi Hospital, Hyogo, Japan; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Hospital, Hyogo, Japan; 4Department of Ophthalmology, National Hospital Organization Himeji Medical Center, Hyogo, Japan; 5Moritera Eye Clinic, Shiga, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcome of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) by measuring the tear meniscus, using optical coherence tomography and rebamipide ophthalmic suspension. Methods: Patients with nasolacrimal obstruction and chronic dacryocystitis who were scheduled for an endonasal DCR underwent tear meniscus examinations before and 2 months after surgery. Vertical scans of the inferior menisci were performed before and at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 minutes after the instillation of rebamipide ophthalmic suspension. The tear menisci areas were measured with imaging software. Ten young adults without epiphora formed the control group.Results: Anatomical success was achieved on 22 sides of 21 patients. The patients’ postoperative tear menisci were significantly smaller than the preoperative menisci at all points during the test, and the response to volume loading in the postoperative patients was corrected to nearly that of the young, healthy adults. Nevertheless, the postoperative meniscus area tended to be larger than that of the young adults at all points.Conclusion: The reduced tear meniscus area after DCR reflected the success of the surgical procedure. However, incomplete recovery of the meniscus after the test might suggest a residual disorder of the lacrimal drainage system after DCR. Keywords: dacryocystorhinostomy, tear meniscus, rebamipide, optical coherence tomograph

Studies on a novel doughnut-shaped minitablet for intraocular drug delivery

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 independent formulation variables on the drug release from a novel doughnut-shaped minitablet (DSMT) in order to optimize formulations for intraocular drug delivery. Formulations were based on a 32 full-factorial design. The 2 independent variables were the concentration of Resomer (% wt/wt) and the type of Resomer grade (RG502, RG503, and RG504), respectively. The evaluated response was the drug release rate constant computed from a referenced marketed product and in vitro drug release data obtained at pH 7.4 in simulated vitreous humor. DSMT devices were prepared containing either of 2 model drugs, ganciclovir or foscarnet, using a Manesty F3 tableting press fitted with a novel central-rod, punch, and die setup. Dissolution data revealed biphasic drug release behavior with 55% to 60% drug released over 120 days. The inherent viscosity of the various Resomer grades and the concentration were significant to achieve optimum release rate constants. Using the resultant statistical relationships with the release rate constant as a response, the optimum formulation predicted for devices formulated with foscarnet was 70% wt/wt of Resomer RG504, while 92% wt/wt of Resomer RG503 was ideal for devices formulated with ganciclovir. The results of this study revealed that the full-factorial design was a suitable tool to predict an optimized formulation for prolonged intraocular drug delivery