Ocular drug delivery device

EVA copolymers are also used in fabricating Progestasert and Ocusert which are an intrauterine and an ocular drug delivery device for pilocarpine and progesterone, respectively. These are discussed in Chapters... 

Biodegradable ocular drug delivery devices are composed of biocompatible polymers, which degrade into nontoxic byproducts, or polymers that solubilize in vivo and can be eUminaled safely by the human body. 

The ocular endotamponades of the future could be a combination of tampo-nading and drug delivery device. Vitrectomy removes the natural vitreous after it has become opaque, inflamed, or unable to keep the retina in place. In many cases, the necessity to remove it is the result of retinal disorders, which are still existent after vitrectomy [50]. In equivalence to the blood-brain barrier, there is also a blood-retina barrier, with the effect that it is difficult to treat retinal disorders systemically. Therefore, the delivery of appropriate drugs via the vitreous cavity would open new treatment options. 

At present MEMS devices are probably too large to be inserted into the eye. Further development of retinal prostheses coupled with clearer understanding of the effects of the microelectrical currents and nonorganic components of the devices on the ocular tissues may result in intraocular applications for MEMS drug delivery devices. The complex delivery patterns possible with these devices may allow treatment of diseases with minimal amounts of conventional medications or proteins either in combination or alone. 

Guzman-Aranguez A, Colligris B, Pintor J (2013) Contact lenses promising devices for ocular drug delivery. J Ocular Pharmacol Ther 29 189-99... 

M.F. Saettone, Solid polymeric inserts/disks as drug delivery devices, in "Biopharmaceutics of Ocular... 

Saettone, M.F. Solid polymeric inserts/disks as drug delivery devices. In Edman, P. (ed.) Biopharmaceutics of Ocular Drug Delivery, pp. 61-67. CRC Press, London (1993)... 

Silicone hydrogel (Si-Hy) materials combine the benefits of silicone or siloxane derivates in terms of oxygen permeability and mechanical properties with those of hydrogels in terms of wettability and hidrophilicity. Such properties are critical when it comes to the application at the ocular surface in the form of contact lenses (CL) to correct visual dysfunctions, as bandage mechanism or as drug delivery devices. Nowadays, CL are used by over 100 million people worldwide. 

Implants for controlled release of drugs (nonbiodegradable) Implantable biosensor-drug delivery system Microfiuidics device for drug delivery Controlled-release microchip Implants that could benefit from local drug release Vascular stents coronary, carotid, and peripheral vascular Ocular implants Dental implants Orthopedic implants... 

Hydrogel-based delivery devices can be used for oral, rectal, ocular, epidermal, and subcutaneous application (121). Figure 17.6 illustrated various sites that are available for the application of hydrogels for drug dehvery. 

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