Tag: Ocular drug delivery

Ocular inserts can increase the contact time of a medication on the eye's surface by up to 20 hours, significantly improving bioavailability compared to traditional eye drops. This advanced drug delivery system is classified primarily based on its solubility and drug release characteristics, offering various solutions for managing eye diseases.

In the U.S., glaucoma and dry eye medications account for over 72% of all ophthalmic medication expenditures [1.9.1]. Understanding **what are the properties of ophthalmic preparation** is crucial for ensuring these treatments are safe, stable, and effective for millions of patients.

Eye drops are the most widely used ocular drug delivery system, accounting for an estimated 90% of all ophthalmic drugs. So, **what mode of drug administration are eye drops**? They are a form of topical administration, directly applied to the eye's surface, primarily targeting the anterior segment to treat conditions like glaucoma, infections, and dry eye.

With less than 5% of a topically applied drug dose typically reaching the intraocular tissues, developing effective ocular drug delivery systems is a major challenge due to the eye's natural barriers. This article explores the various methods of ocular drug delivery, highlighting how they are designed to bypass these protective mechanisms for targeted treatment.

After eye drop instillation, studies show that typically less than 5% of the applied dose actually reaches the intraocular tissues, with a significant portion undergoing systemic absorption.

The global market for ophthalmic drug delivery systems was valued at $15.76 billion in 2024 and is a critical area of medicine [1.7.1]. A key formulation within this market is the ophthalmic suspension. So, **what is an ophthalmic suspension?** It is a sterile liquid dosage form where fine particles of a drug are suspended, but not dissolved, in a liquid vehicle for application to the eye [1.2.3, 1.2.4].