title: Advances in ophthalmic drug delivery.
abstract: Various strategies for ocular drug delivery are considered; from basic formulation techniques for improving availability of drugs; viscosity enhancers and mucoadhesives aid drug retention and penetration enhancers promote drug transport into the eye. The use of drug-loaded contact lenses and ocular inserts allows drugs to be better placed where they are needed for more direct delivery. Developments in ocular implants gives a means to overcome the physical barriers that traditionally prevented effective treatment. Implant technologies are under development allowing long-term drug delivery from a single procedure, these devices allow posterior chamber diseases to be effectively treated. Future developments could bring artificial corneas to eliminate the need for donor tissue and one-off implantable drug depots lasting the patient's lifetime.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 224, Reading, RG6 6AD, UK.
authors.forename: Peter W J
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Vitaliy V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Khutoryanskiy
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001682:Biological Availability; D003261:Contact Lenses; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009824:Ointments / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012995:Solubility; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014014:Tissue Adhesives