Revised: August 8, 2013
Accepted: August 28, 2013
Published online: December 9, 2013
The eye is a complex organ made up of diversified cells with specified functions. Presence of anatomical, physiological and physiochemical barriers make it difficult to deliver drugs in therapeutic amounts at intended sites. To overcome these, drug delivery scientists have followed two distinct yet complimentary approaches. The first involves using alternate delivery routes to conventional ones allowing for more direct access to intended target sites. Second approach involves development of novel drug delivery systems providing better permeability, treatability and controlled release at target site. Combination of both these approaches are being utilized and optimized in order to achieve optimal therapy with minimal adverse effects.
Core tip: The eye is a complex organ where combinations of various anatomical and physiological barriers work together to make it difficult to deliver drugs in the right amounts at the intended sites. To circumvent these barriers and to achieve desired levels ophthalmologists, ocular pharmacologists and pharmaceutical scientists have developed various drug delivery strategies with appropriate mode of administration.