Abstract
This review highlights the application of lipid nanoparticles (Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, Nanostructured Lipid Carriers, or Lipid Drug Conjugates) as effective drug carriers for pathologies affecting the posterior ocular segment. Eye anatomy and the most relevant diseases affecting the posterior segment will be summarized. Moreover, preparation methods and different types and subtypes of lipid nanoparticles will also be reviewed. Lipid nanoparticles used as carriers to deliver drugs to the posterior eye segment as well as their administration routes, pharmaceutical forms and ocular distribution will be discussed emphasizing the different targeting strategies most recently employed for ocular drug delivery.
Highlights
Ocular diseases associated with the posterior segment of the eye may lead to visual impairment, which might result in blindness
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single-layered structure with tight juncand cones, which are adjacent to the RPE, and their distribution varies in different regions tions which is outside the neurosensory retina
Posterior juxtascleral, sub-Tenon and retrobulbar routes are usually used for administration of anesthesics [26,32], subconjunctival, suprachoroidal, subretinal and trans-scleral routes are used for delivering active compounds to inner tissues; (i) the subconjunctival route involves the insertion of the drug or implant underneath the conjunctiva, which allows the access to the sclera [26,32,45]; (ii) the suprachoroidal route is used for implants, microneedles and other formulations
Summary
Ocular diseases associated with the posterior segment of the eye may lead to visual impairment, which might result in blindness. Less than 5% of the administered traditional ocular eye drops are effectively absorbed into the eye, reaching the inner ocular tissues. Ocular drug delivery systems were investigated to improve ocular retention and drug absorption. They can act as controlled release systems that reduce administration frequency. These drug delivery systems include hydrogels, nanomicelles, dendrimers, polymeric nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, liposomes and lipid nanoparticles [4,5]. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 90 constitute one of the most relevant systems due to their unique characteristics and their multiple advantages compared to other drug delivery approaches such as liposomes or polymeric nanoparticles [6,7]
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