Nanoparticles for ocular surface drug and gene delivery

Abstract

SummaryTopically applied liquid formulations disappear rapidly from the eye surface due to nasolacrimal drainage. Along with the drop, the drug molecules including small molecules as well as macromolecules such as gene medicines are expected to clear rapidly, depending on their tissue affinity and rate of entry. Nanoparticles offer unique approaches to enhance and sustain ocular drug delivery following topical administration, especially for drug molecules with poor solubility or poor permeability and partitioning in eye tissues. Additionally, drug administration by invasive approaches are also feasible for ocular surface drug and gene delivery. When a drug is administered in its soluble form, it is likely to disappear rapidly from the site of injection. Nanoparticles are useful in such circumstances to sustain drug delivery. This presentation will provide an overview of nanoparticles including those based on pure drug as well as carrier materials for enhancing and sustaining ocular surface drug and gene delivery following topical or invasive administration.