Ocular tolerability of Eudragit RS100® and RL100® nanosuspensions as carriers for ophthalmic controlled drug delivery

Polymeric nanoparticle suspensions were prepared from inert polymer resins (Eudragit RS100®, RS, and RL100®, RL). When loaded with drugs, these resins have been recently proposed as delivery systems to prolong the release and improve ocular availability of the drug. To verify the absence of toxicity toward the ocular structures, blank RS and RL nanosuspensions were applied to rabbit eye and a modified Draize test was performed. Polymer nanoparticles appeared to be avoiding of any irritant effect on cornea, iris, and conjunctiva up to 24 h after application, thus appearing to be a suitable inert carrier for ophthalmic drug delivery. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.