Biomaterial Database

Pilocarpine dispensation for the soft hydrophilic contact lens. 1975

M Ruben, and R Watkins

The use of hydrophilic soft contact lenses for dispensation of pilocarpine is described. The release rate of pilocarpine from three materials of different water content was estimated and from this the surface concentrations were calculated. It is estimated that PolyHEMA can after 15 hours provide a 1 per cent surface concentration of pilocarpine, whereas higher water content materials (70 and 85 per cent) halve this, although they provide a much higher concentration in the first few hours of use. These results are based upon pre-soaking in 4 per cent pilocarpine solution. Because contact lenses present a management problem, this method of dispensation will be used only for selected cases. Some clinical examples treated successfully over a 20 month period are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007429	Intraocular Pressure	The pressure of the fluids in the eye.	Ocular Tension,Intraocular Pressures,Ocular Tensions,Pressure, Intraocular,Pressures, Intraocular,Tension, Ocular,Tensions, Ocular
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010862	Pilocarpine	A slowly hydrolyzed muscarinic agonist with no nicotinic effects. Pilocarpine is used as a miotic and in the treatment of glaucoma.	Isopilocarpine,Isoptocarpine,Ocusert,Pilocarpine Hydrochloride,Pilocarpine Mononitrate, (3S-cis)-Isomer,Pilocarpine Nitrate,Pilocarpine, Monohydrochloride, (3S-cis)-Isomer,Salagen,Hydrochloride, Pilocarpine,Nitrate, Pilocarpine
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D003263	Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic	Soft, supple contact lenses made of plastic polymers which interact readily with water molecules. Many types are available, including continuous and extended-wear versions, which are gas-permeable and easily sterilized.	Lenses, Contact, Hydrophilic,Soft Contact Lenses,Hydrophilic Contact Lens,Soft Contact Lens,Contact Lens, Hydrophilic,Contact Lens, Soft,Contact Lenses, Soft,Hydrophilic Contact Lenses,Lens, Hydrophilic Contact,Lens, Soft Contact,Lenses, Hydrophilic Contact,Lenses, Soft Contact
D005260	Female		Females
D005901	Glaucoma	An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Glaucomas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013666	Tears	The fluid secreted by the lacrimal glands. This fluid moistens the CONJUNCTIVA and CORNEA.	Meibomian Lipids,Meibum,Lipid, Meibomian,Meibomian Lipid,Tear