title: Novel approaches for retinal drug delivery.
abstract: Novel methods of ophthalmic drug delivery are being developed to facilitate treatment of a variety of eye diseases. Pharmaceuticals administered intravitreally are able to bypass the blood-ocular barrier to achieve constant therapeutic levels in the eye, while minimizing systemic side effects. Sustained-release intravitreal implants are being developed to enhance further the intravitreal route of administration. Liposomes, microscopic vesicles with a membrane-like lipid bilayer surrounding an aqueous compartment, are being developed to incorporate a wide variety of drug molecules, proteins, nucleotides, and even plasmids giving them great potential for use in ophthalmology. Biodegradable scleral plugs containing pharmaceuticals have the advantage of biodegradability and the ability to fit in a relatively small diameter of 1 mm. Conjugate drugs, which are covalently linked, decrease drug solubility, which increases their half-life and also limits the amount of active drug present at a given time. Viral vectors have been investigated in the delivery of genetic material to the posterior segment of the eye. Retrovirus, adenovirus, adenoma-associated virus, herpes virus, and lentivirus have been investigated for gene transfer to the retina. Finally, iontophoresis, a method of drug delivery typically involving the application of low electric currents to drive molecules across barriers, such as skin, is being explored for ophthalmic applications.
authors.affiliation: Retina Division, Midwest Eye Institute, 201 Pennsylvania Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46280, USA.
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ciulla
mesh_terms: D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions