Nanoparticle Products for the Eye: Preformulation, Formulation, and Manufacturing Considerations

Abstract

Recent developments in nanotechnology have provided an unprecedented opportunity to improve the prevention and treatment of ocular diseases. Because of their inherent valuable properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, ease of surface functionalization with desired ligands, reduction of drug side effects, and potential ability to cross biological barriers, nanoparticles are increasingly recognized as promising candidates for ocular therapy of anterior and posterior eye disorders. Nanoparticle products have become one of the most promising strategies in order to treat the eye globe. There are several administration routes for ocular drug delivery with eye drops being one of the most widely used. Moreover, intravitreal injection and implants will also be analyzed throughout this chapter. Among the different types of nanocarriers, biodegradable nanoparticles such as lipid or polymeric nanoparticles have been extensively studied for ocular drug delivery. These drug delivery systems belong to the nanometer range and are able to encapsulate drugs in order to carry and deliver them on the target tissue using different strategies such as targeting with peptides or monoclonal antibodies.The selective release of the drug in the target organ to exert its effective therapeutic action will remain a distant reality unless the design of the nanocarrier takes into account the biological barriers. Biodegradable multifunctional carriers can be prepared by several different methods that facilitate the development of a new generation of chemically functionalized polymeric or lipid nanoparticles with physicochemical characteristics suitable to cross the different eye barriers and achieve a biopharmaceutical profile appropriate for the ocular route of administration.This chapter focuses on the application of innovative technological strategies for the development and manufacturing, under quality by design criteria, of nanoparticle carriers for the management of ocular disorders, which undoubtedly constitute one of the most important health challenges of today’s society.