The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of solid hydrogel as a probe for the drug delivery to the rabbit eye upon application of low current iontophoresis. Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), cross-linked with ethylenglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were prepared to form solid hydrogels. The concentrations of gentamicin sulfate in different segments of rabbit eye after transconjunctival and transscleral iontophoresis were also studied. For iontophoresis we used a portable Mini Ion device (designed at Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and applied a current from 0 mA to 1.5 mA for pre-set period from 30 to 120 seconds and after application the concentrations of gentamicin in cornea were assayed. The rabbits in control group were treated with fortified gentamicin eye-drops (concentration 1.4 %). The highest concentration of gentamicin sulfate was reached after iontophoresis with current intensity of 1.5 mA applied for 60 s. High gentamicin concentration were found in the retina and in the sclera four hours after transscleral iontophoresis, the lowest concentration was obtained in vitreous. The delivery of gentamicin to the eye via iontophoresis with solid HEMA/EGDMA hydrogels seems to be promising method achieving high concentrations of the drug in the eye tissue.

        Key words: iontophoresis, hydrogel, gentamicin sulfate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, corneal concentration of the drug