Ophthalmic system for sustained release of drug to eye

An ocular device configured to be positioned on a surface of the eye at least partially underneath at least one of the upper and lower eyelids and outside a cornea of the eye for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye for an extended period of time, the device comprising:

• a first structure formed of a first material providing a first shape to the ocular device prior to positioning the ocular device on the surface of the eye;
• a second structure formed of a second material having a tubular structure with a lumen through which the first structure extends, wherein the second material is different from the first material;
• and
• at least one therapeutic agent dispersed within the first material of the first structure,
• wherein the first shape of the ocular device conforms to a second, different shape after positioning the ocular device on the surface of the eye, and wherein upon being removed from the eye, the ocular device retains the second shape or changes to a third shape, wherein the third shape is different from both the first shape and the second shape.

A method of manufacturing an ocular device configured to be positioned on a surface of the eye at least partially underneath at least one of the upper and lower eyelids and outside a cornea of the eye for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to an eye for an extended period of time, the method comprising:

• forming a support structure from a length of a first material having a first end region and a second end region into a first shape, wherein the first shape of the support structure provides an overall shape to the ocular device prior to positioning the ocular device on the surface of the eye;
• dispersing at least one therapeutic agent into a second material to create a drug matrix, wherein the second material is different from the first material;
• molding the drug matrix into a tubular structure having lumen;
• and
• threading the tubular structure over the length the support structure such that the support structure extends through the lumen of the tubular structure,
• wherein the first shape conforms to a second, different shape after positioning the ocular device onto the surface of the eye, and wherein upon being removed from the eye, the ocular device retains the second shape or changes to a third shape, wherein the third shape is different from both the first shape and the second shape.