39^th European Ophthalmology Congress

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

New ophthalmic drug delivery systems are curently receiving increased attention, in part because of the expected emergence of new drugs with short biological half-lives whose usefulness may depend on a more continuous drug supply than eyedrops can provide, but also because of the potential of some delivery systems to reduce the side effects of the more potent drugs. Various strategies for ocular drug delivery are considered; from basic formulation techniques for improving availability of drugs. 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.