title: Nanotechnology and nanotoxicology in retinopathy.
abstract: Nanoparticles are nanometer-scaled particles, and can be utilized in the form of nanocapsules, nanoconjugates, or nanoparticles themselves for the treatment of retinopathy, including angiogensis-related blindness, retinal degeneration, and uveitis. They are thought to improve the bioavailability in the retina and the permeability of therapeutic molecules across the barriers of the eye, such as the cornea, conjunctiva, and especially, blood-retinal barriers (BRBs). However, consisting of multiple neuronal cells, the retina can be the target of neuronal toxicity of nanoparticles, in common with the central and peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, the ability of nanoparticles to pass through the BRBs might increase the possibility of toxicity, simultaneously promoting distribution in the retinal layers. In this regard, we discussed nanotechnology and nanotoxicology in the treatment of retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea; E-Mail:  zodong82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dong Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Tae Geol
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014116:Toxicology
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents