Medicated film dissolving on eye for blepharitis treatment

Beyond Drops: Are Medicated Films the Future of Blepharitis Treatment?

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores innovative drug-delivery films for long-lasting relief from blepharitis, potentially reducing the need for frequent eye drops."

Blepharitis, a common condition causing inflammation of the eyelids, affects millions worldwide. Characterized by redness, itching, and crusting around the eyes, it can significantly impact daily life. While not usually sight-threatening, blepharitis can lead to discomfort and, in some cases, more serious complications.

Traditional treatments often involve frequent application of eye drops containing antibiotics or corticosteroids. Azithromycin and dexamethasone are two such medications commonly prescribed to combat infection and reduce inflammation, respectively. However, the need for repeated applications throughout the day can be inconvenient, leading to poor adherence and suboptimal results.

Recent research has explored an innovative approach to blepharitis treatment: medicated films. These thin, dissolvable films are designed to deliver medication directly to the eye's surface, providing sustained relief and potentially reducing the burden of frequent eye drop administration. This article delves into a study investigating the use of azithromycin and dexamethasone-loaded films for the treatment of blepharitis, examining their effectiveness and potential benefits.

Why Consider Films Instead of Eye Drops for Blepharitis?

Medicated film dissolving on eye for blepharitis treatment

Eye drops, while a mainstay in blepharitis treatment, come with inherent limitations. One of the most significant challenges is the rapid drainage of medication from the eye's surface. The nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears into the nasal cavity, quickly clears away much of the applied solution, reducing the amount of drug that can be absorbed. This necessitates frequent re-application, which can be disruptive and lead to inconsistent drug levels.

Ocular inserts, such as biodegradable polymer films, offer a potential solution to these challenges. By slowly releasing medication over an extended period, they can maintain a consistent therapeutic effect while minimizing the need for frequent applications. This approach can improve patient compliance and enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment.

Sustained Drug Release: Medicated films provide a slow and continuous release of medication, ensuring a consistent therapeutic effect.
Improved Compliance: Reducing the frequency of application can lead to better patient adherence to the treatment regimen.
Targeted Delivery: Films deliver medication directly to the affected area, minimizing systemic exposure and potential side effects.
Enhanced Comfort: Thin and dissolvable films are designed to be comfortable and non-irritating to the eye.

The study explored films made from β-glucan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), both biocompatible polymers. These films were loaded with azithromycin to fight bacterial infections and dexamethasone to reduce inflammation. The researchers evaluated the films' physical properties, drug release rates, and antibacterial activity to determine their suitability for blepharitis treatment.

A Promising Future for Blepharitis Management

While further research is needed to optimize the drug release profiles of these films, the initial results are encouraging. Medicated films offer a potential alternative to traditional eye drops, providing sustained relief and improved convenience for individuals with blepharitis. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative drug delivery systems that enhance the effectiveness and ease of treatment for various eye conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2174/2210303106666160506123050, Alternate LINK

Title: Azithromycin And Dexamethasone Loaded Β-Glucan Films For The Treatment Of Blepharitis

Subject: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (miscellaneous)

Journal: Drug Delivery Letters

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Authors: Hajer S. Alghamdi, Darren Svirskis, Craig R. Bunt, Simon Swift, Ilva D. Rupenthal

Published: 2016-10-18

Everything You Need To Know

What makes medicated films a potentially better option than eye drops for treating blepharitis?

Medicated films offer several advantages over traditional eye drops for blepharitis treatment. Unlike eye drops, which are quickly cleared away by the nasolacrimal duct requiring frequent re-application, medicated films provide sustained drug release directly to the affected area. This ensures a consistent therapeutic effect, improving patient compliance and reducing the need for multiple daily applications. Additionally, films made from biocompatible polymers like β-glucan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) enhance comfort and minimize systemic exposure, potentially reducing side effects compared to eye drops.

How do azithromycin and dexamethasone function in the medicated films for blepharitis?

In medicated films designed for blepharitis treatment, azithromycin serves as an antibiotic to combat bacterial infections contributing to the condition. Dexamethasone, on the other hand, acts as a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation of the eyelids. By incorporating both medications into a single film, the treatment addresses both the infectious and inflammatory aspects of blepharitis simultaneously. This dual-action approach aims to provide comprehensive relief and promote faster healing.

What are β-glucan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and why are they suitable for making medicated films for eye treatment?

β-glucan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are biocompatible polymers used in the production of medicated films for eye treatment. Their biocompatibility means they are well-tolerated by the body and unlikely to cause adverse reactions. β-glucan offers moisturizing properties, while HPMC provides excellent film-forming capabilities. These characteristics are crucial for creating films that are comfortable, non-irritating, and capable of delivering medication like azithromycin and dexamethasone effectively to the affected area. The polymers dissolve slowly allowing the drug to be released directly to the eye.

Besides azithromycin and dexamethasone, what other medications could potentially be delivered using medicated films for blepharitis or related eye conditions, and what benefits might these offer?

Beyond azithromycin and dexamethasone, medicated films could potentially deliver other medications like cyclosporine (for chronic dry eye associated with blepharitis), antihistamines (to alleviate allergic reactions contributing to eyelid inflammation), or even lubricating agents (to provide additional comfort and hydration to the eye surface). The benefits of using medicated films for these drugs include sustained release, improved patient compliance, and targeted delivery to the affected area. This could lead to enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic side effects compared to traditional eye drops or oral medications. Future research could explore the incorporation of novel anti-inflammatory agents or even gene therapy approaches within these films.

What are the key benefits of sustained drug release in the context of medicated films for treating blepharitis, and how does it address the limitations of traditional eye drops?

Sustained drug release, as provided by medicated films, offers several key benefits over traditional eye drops in treating blepharitis. Traditional eye drops are quickly drained away by the nasolacrimal duct. Sustained release ensures a consistent therapeutic effect by delivering medication continuously over an extended period. This consistent delivery maximizes drug absorption and efficacy while minimizing the need for frequent re-application. With drugs like azithromycin or dexamethasone, a sustained release film ensures constant exposure to the affected tissue rather than a short burst. This improves patient compliance, enhances treatment outcomes, and potentially reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, especially when using medications like azithromycin.