Abstract
Therapeutic advancements in the treatment of various ocular diseases is often linked to the development of efficient drug delivery systems (DDSs), which would allow a sustained release while maintaining therapeutic drug levels in the target tissues. In this way, ocular tissue/cell response can be properly modulated and designed in order to produce a therapeutic effect. An ideal ocular DDS should encapsulate and release the appropriate drug concentration to the target tissue (therapeutic but non-toxic level) while preserving drug functionality. Furthermore, a constant release is usually preferred, keeping the initial burst to a minimum. Different materials are used, modified, and combined in order to achieve a sustained drug release in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. After giving a picture of the different strategies adopted for ocular drug release, this review article provides an overview of the biomaterials that are used as drug carriers in the eye, including micro- and nanospheres, liposomes, hydrogels, and multi-material implants; the advantages and limitations of these DDSs are discussed in reference to the major ocular applications.
Highlights
Ocular diseases can be induced by a number of factors and affect both the anterior and the posterior segment of the eye
The results showed an increase in gel strength along with the sustained release of pilocarpine hydrochloride after addition of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)
Ranch et al could successfully develop a sustained drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on a gel of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DXM) and chloramphenicol (CHL) by using gellan gum in combination with carbopol 940, which could be a viable alternative to conventional eye drops [159]
Summary
Ocular diseases can be induced by a number of factors and affect both the anterior and the posterior segment of the eye. The topical route can be used to treat posterior segment diseases, other strategies are typically preferred and more efficient, including systemic, periocular (injections that are carried out in the periocular area under the Tenon’s capsule), and intravitreal (within the vitreous) administration. The latter two are the most commonly used clinically. The targeted and prolonged release of ocular drugs is a rapidly evolving field due to the advent of new biomaterials that are being developed in a context of continuous research making impressive progress in recent years
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