Drug Delivery to the Eye

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a general insight into the past, present, and future trends in the area of ocular drug delivery. The chapter also presents a discussions on ocular barriers to drug delivery, modes of drug administration to the eye, effect of ocular fluid dynamics, transporter targeted drug delivery, and strategies to exploit transporters in enhancing ocular drug bioavailability. Ocular pathologies can cause discomfort and anxiety in patients, with the ultimate fear of loss of vision or even facial disfigurement. In spite of the continued effort directed toward the improvement and optimization of ocular drug delivery systems a progress in this area did not appear to take place at a fast pace that is typical of other delivery routes—oral, transdermal, and transmucosal. A cautious advancement is evidently imposed by the delicate nature of the eye and many restraints imposed by its anatomy and physiology.