Formulation And Characterization Of Hydrogel For Ophthalmic Sustained Delivery Of Docosahexaenoic Acid

Abstract

Ocular disorders are a major global health concern due to their potential to significantly impair vision and reduce quality of life. Conventional eye drops formulations often fail to maintain therapeutic drug levels because of rapid tear turnover and ocular barriers like the blood-retina and blood-aqueous barriers. This study focusses to develop a hydrogel-based delivery system for the sustained ophthalmic release of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects on retinal tissues. Hydrogels were formulated using Carbopol 940 and polyvinyl alcohol, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, and evaluated across eight formulations for parameters including appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, swelling, and drug release. The optimized formulation showed desirable physical properties, ocular compatibility, and a sustained drug release profile.

These outcomes propose that the DHA-loaded hydrogel system could improve drug bioavailability, reduce dosing frequency, and improve therapeutic outcomes in the treatment of chronic ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.