Current developments in Nano-based technology for Ocular Disease: Recent evidence, Barriers and Translational opportunities

Abstract

Ocular diseases have a significant impact on vision and quality of life. Drug delivery to ocular tissues is a challenge to formulation scientists. The major barriers to delivering drugs to the anterior and posterior segments include physiological barriers (nasolacrimal drainage, blinking), anatomical barriers (static and dynamic), efflux pumps, and metabolic barriers. The static barriers comprise the different layers of the cornea, sclera, and blood–aqueous barriers whereas dynamic barriers involve conjunctival blood flow, lymphatic clearance, and tear drainage. In this review, we summarize the developments of the nano-carrier based drug delivery system over the last decade, particularly the biology, methodology, approaches, and clinical applications of nano-carrier based drug delivery system in the field of ocular therapeutics. The present review is dedicated to highlighting and updating the recent achievements of nano-based technologies for ocular disease diagnosis and treatment. While further efforts remain the same, the progress illustrated here might pave the way to new and very useful ocular nanomedicines.