Gel formulations for treatment of the ophthalmic complications in cystinosis

Nephropathic cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterised by raised lysosomal levels of cystine in the cells of all organs. It is treated by regular administration of the aminothiol, cysteamine. Corneal crystal deposition is one of the most troublesome complications affecting patients and requires the hourly administration of cysteamine eye drops. In an attempt to reduce this frequency and improve the treatment, the preparation and evaluation of cysteamine containing Carbomer gel is reported. The results demonstrated that a weak gel network was formed at low shear–stress, the bioadhesion of the gel was increased with inclusion of a cysteamine derivative (e.g. mean force of 0.067 N compared to 0.107 N with compound included) and first-order release from the gel was observed. In conclusion these results offer the possibility to formulate cysteamine in an ocular applicable gel formulation.