Lecture 10: Ocular Drug Delivery I Flashcards
What is the conjunctiva?
Thin mucous membrane lining eyelids and sclera
What are the main components of the eye?
Conjunctiva Conjunctival cul de sac (fornix) Nasolacrimal duct Cornea Anterior chamber Posterior chamber
What is the role of the conjunctiva?
Secrets mucin, contains heavily glycosylated proteins
What is the conjunctiva cul de sac or fornix?
Loose arching foods connecting conjunctival membrane lining the inside of the eyelid.
It is the site of application for most opthalmic dosage forms and has a capacity of approx 10ul
What is the cornea?
A clear, transparent and multilayered component of the eye
The membranes of the cornea present a biphasic environment:
What is the biphasic environment of the cornea?
Lipophilic epithelial and endothelial membranes
Hydrophilic stroma in the middle
Drugs therefore must possess biphasic solubility characteristics to gain access to the anterior chamber of the eye
What is the anterior chamber?
Fluid filled chamber between iris and cornea
What is the posterior chamber?
Fluid filled chamber between lens and iris
What are the different types of anterior segment disease?
Blepharitis Dry eye Corneal infection Keatoconus Keratopathy and band keratopathy Conjunctivitis
What is blepharitis ?
Inflammation of the eyelids
Treated with antibiotic eye drops
What is dry eye?
When there is inadequate production of tears to lubricate the cornea
Treated with artificial tears (CMC, PEG, PVA)
What is corneal infection?
Infection of the cornea. Could be bacteria, fungal or viral
Treated with antibiotic eye drops?
What is keratoconus?
When the corneal collagen cross links with the riboflavin
Treated with…
What is keratopathy and band keratopathy ?
…
Treated with naltrexone and IGF
What is conjunctivitis?
Inflammation of the conjunctiva
Can be bacterial, viral or allergic
Treated with antihistamines, artificial tests, antibiotics
What is glaucoma?
Where there is intraocular pressure associated with optic neuropathy
Treated with prostaglandin analogues like Xalatan and beta adrenergic receptor antagonists like Timolol
What are the advantages of ocular drug delivery?
Can administer for local effect (glaucoma cannot be treated orally) as systemically available drugs will not reach the eye due to the blood-eye barrier
Allows targeted delivery
Ease of administration - depends on patient
Small dose required
Fast action
Ease of manufacturing
What are the disadvantages of ocular drug delivery?
Bioavailability of drugs is extremely poor: less than 5% of the administered drug reaches the target
Contamination - limits shelf life
Addition of preservatives may cause toxicity
Limited permeability
Tear removal leading to irritation
Can only administer Small volumes
Systemic absorption can cause side effects
Solubility