EVALUATION OF SUSTAINED RELEASE OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Abstract

Ocular drug delivery presents significant challenges due to the unique anatomy and physiology of Because of the eye's unique anatomy and physiology, drug delivery to the eye is considered to be challenging. Conventional topical and systemic routes often demonstrate poor bioavailability with a myriad of potential side effects. Sustained release drug delivery systems emerged as promising avenues in an effort to overcome these shortcomings by allowing improved bioavailability, less frequent dosing, and increased patient compliance. This review article extensively examines various sustained release ocular drug delivery systems-from principles of design, formulation strategies, in vitro and in vivo performance, clinical efficacy, to safety profiles. We are reviewing the existing literature and the most current clinical studies on performance of different delivery platforms-nanoparticles, microemulsions, in situ gelling systems, implants, and inserts. Our results suggest that such systems have great potential for enhancing ocular drug delivery for diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy but require significant challenges in optimizing the release kinetics of drugs, ensuring long-term safety, and scaling up manufacturing processes. These appraisals will be useful for those researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies working toward greater innovation in ocular treatments, at the lead to the next generation of ophthalmic therapeutics.