Advances and Challenges in the Nanoparticles Laden Contact Lenses for Ocular Drug Delivery

Abstract

The delivery of drugs that target ocular tissues is challenging due to the physiological barriers of the eye. Drug-laden contact lenses can be a possible solution to overcome some of the challenges. Nanoparticles are beginning to be studied as novel ways of loading drugs into therapeutic contact lenses. The versatile features of the polymeric nanoparticles and the diverse physicochemical properties of the polymers make it possible to load and sustain drug release from the contact lenses. Nevertheless, several issues remain to be solved before clinical application and commercialization such as changes in contact lens swelling (water content), transmittance, protein adherence, surface roughness, tensile strength, ion and oxygen permeability and drug leaching during contact lens manufacture. However, clinical studies demonstrate the potential of therapeutic contact lenses to manage the scientific, commercial and regulatory challenges to make its place in the market. This review highlights the different methodologies used to fabricate nanoparticle-laden contact lenses and highlights the major advances and challenges to commercialization.