title: Biodegradable polymers for ocular drug delivery.
abstract: A variety of ocular drug delivery systems, including a controlled release of the drug, drug targeting, and penetration enhancement of the drug, have been investigated. Biodegradable polymers have been widely used as the drug carrier for controlled-release systems. Biodegradable polymers release the drug as they themselves degrade and are finally absorbed within the body. Several ocular drug delivery systems using different kinds of biodegradable polymers have been studied. In this article, we describe the fundamental mechanisms of drug delivery systems, polymer erosion and drug release, and then review those systems using the most popular biodegradable polymers, poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-glycolic acid).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. hkimura@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ogura
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004343:Drug Implants; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008863:Microspheres; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011091:Polyesters; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004343:Drug Implants; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C102418:poly(lactic-glycolic acid)-poly(ethyleneglycol) copolymer; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C033616:poly(lactide)