OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
B. Premkumar*, D. Dhachinamoorthi, S. Srimathi
ABSTRACT
The effective treatment of ocular diseases remains a significant challenge due to the complex anatomy and physiological barriers of the eye, which limit drug penetration and reduce therapeutic efficacy. Conventional ocular drug delivery systems, such as eye drops and ointments, often exhibit poor bioavailability because of rapid tear turnover, nasolacrimal drainage, and limited corneal permeability. Consequently, frequent dosing is required, leading to reduced patient compliance and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ocular drug delivery systems, highlighting both conventional and advanced approaches designed to overcome these limitations. Recent developments, including nanoparticles, liposomes, niosomes, dendrimers, hydrogels, in situ gels, ocular inserts, contact lens-based delivery systems, microneedles, implants, and nanofiber-based carriers, are discussed with respect to their design, mechanism of drug release, advantages, and clinical applications. The review also examines the influence of ocular barriers on drug absorption, strategies for improving ocular bioavailability, and the role of emerging technologies such as stimuli-responsive systems and targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, regulatory considerations, formulation challenges, and future research directions are addressed. Overall, advances in ocular drug delivery technologies have demonstrated significant potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy, prolong drug residence time, minimize systemic side effects, and improve patient adherence. Continued innovation in biomaterials, nanotechnology, and controlled-release systems is expected to facilitate the development of safer, more effective, and patient-friendly ocular therapies for both anterior and posterior segment diseases.
Keywords: .
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]
Impact Factor : 8.181 
