Characterization of Dexamethasone-eluting PLGA Films Coated on Capsular Tension Ring to Prevent Posterior Capsule Opacification

The objectives of this study were to prepare PLGA film onto the surface of the capsular tension ring (CTR) for controlled drug release and investigate the influence of plasticizers, the test drug and measurement conditions on flexibility of the film. Film solutions were prepared by dissolving PLGA, plasticizer (triethyl citrate, TEC or polyethylene glycol, PEG), test drug (dexamethasone) in ethyl acetate then films were prepared by spray coating and evaporation method. Then, the flexibility of PLGA film was determined by elongation test. The addition of plasticizer, PEG or TEC to PLGA copolymer caused a depression of glass transition temperature ($T_g$) and the elasticity of PLGA films increased. The addition of dexamethasone to the PLGA/TEC matrix decreased the flexibility of film. Dimensional factors of the PLGA films such as width and thickness were significantly influenced on flexibility of films and film length and elongation speed had no considerable influence on elongation of films. In this study, sufficiently flexible and stable PLGA films capable of being coated onto CTR could be prepared. This PLGA films can be used as a platform for local drug delivery.