Mucoadhesion of copolymers and mixtures containing polyacrylic acid.

Water-soluble polymers were synthesized from dextran and polyacrylic acid and their ocular mucoadhesion was evaluated. One series had polyacrylic acid grafted onto the polysaccharide backbone of dextran, and another series had dextran grafted onto the polyacrylic acid backbone. Mucoadhesion of these copolymers was investigated using a tensile apparatus and compared with that of polyacrylic acid/dextran mixtures prepared in different proportions.

Effects of acetylcysteine on rabbit conjunctival and corneal surfaces. A scanning electron microscopy study.

Conjunctival and corneal epithelial surfaces of normal rabbit eyes with their associated mucus were studied by scanning electron microscopy before and after treatment with the mucolytic agent N-acetylcysteine (AC). Four groups received topically one 50-microliters drop of either (Group A) 0.1 MAC, (Group B) 0.