Drug Delivery to the Eye: What Benefits do Nanocarriers offer?

Abstract

Ocular drug delivery has seen several advances in the past few decades, with respect to new drugs, improved formulations, targeted delivery, as well as exploration of new routes of drug administration. New materials have been explored for encasing existing drugs, which can enhance treatment by increasing bioavailability, decreasing toxicity, providing better tissue adherence, targeted delivery as well as increased duration of action. The challenges and requirements are different for the anterior and posterior ocular segments. This review summarizes the recent advances in sustained ocular therapy, both to the anterior and posterior segments, which have been made possible, thanks to nanotechnology. We also discuss the distribution and fate of these nanocarriers themselves, postadministration, as well as clearance from ocular tissues.

Comparative Study of In Situ Loaded Antibody and PEG‐Fab NIPAAM Gels

“…[9,27] Particles which are prone to aggregation or larger than 300 nm in the vitreous can scatter light to interfere with vision. [28] Particle migration to the front of the eye [9,27] results in release of drug that simply clears from the eye with aqueous outflow. An additional risk is particulates blocking the aqueous outflow.…”

“…However particulate associated formulations of proteins for IVT injections have been described . Particles which are prone to aggregation or larger than 300 nm in the vitreous can scatter light to interfere with vision . Particle migration to the front of the eye results in release of drug that simply clears from the eye with aqueous outflow.…”

Recent advances of exosomes in immune-mediated eye diseases

“…The conventional route of treatment for eye disease, especially involving the anterior segment, is topical instillation of eye drops, which is accompanied with limitations such as the need for frequent administration and low bioavailability. During recent years, various synthetic drug vehicles have been developed for encasing existing drugs to enhance the therapeutic effect [111]. However, troubling issues including their immunotoxicity [112] and quick clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) or the reticuloendothelial system (RES) [113] still exist.…”

Welcome to the 13th Volume of Nanomedicine

“…by Joseph and Venkatram [2]. This review summarizes the recent advances in ocular therapy, thanks to nanotechnology.…”