Ophthalmic Flashcards
Historical Info
- Dates back to Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans
- 1950s - mostly compounded by pharmacists
- Rarely compounded now, manufacturers exist that specialize in ophthalmics
Drug Delivery
-For topical treatment of surface/intraocular conditions
-Usually NOT systemic
EX: lubrication, infections, inflammations, glaucoma
Lens
Changes shape for focusing
Iris
Regulates light entry into back of eye through the pupil
Sclera
“White” of eye. Fibrous, protective outer layer of eye, contains microcirculation
Conjunctiva
Covers the sclera. Highly vascularized. Helps lubricate the eye
Cornea
- Transparent layer, devoid of blood vessels
- 0.5-1 mm thick
- Physical/chemical barrier which makes resistant to infections when intact
Retina
- Innermost area of the eye
- Transforms light into electrical signals to be sent to the brain via optic nerve
Aqueous Humor
Watery fluid behind iris responsible for maintaining appropriate IOP
Vitreous Humor
Gel-like fluid, just behind lens to retina
Blood-Retina Barrier
- Similar to BBB
- Protects back of eye
- Prevents systemic entry of drugs into eye, particularly the retina
Cornea Layers
- Epithelium - lipophilic
- Stroma - hydrophilic
- Endothelium - lipophilic
- THEN you reach the target, aqueous humor
- Drug has to readily switch between ionized and unionized to transverse the layers
Ophthalmic Challenge
Usually <1% drug actually reaches the target out of what is applied to the surface
Reasons for Ophthalmic Challenge
- Poor permeation into the eye
- Limited capacity of the eye to retain liquid (usually only a small amount can be administered)
- Dilution due to lacrimal fluids
- Washed out due to blinking
Amount of fluid eye can hold
7 uL
Average eye drop volume
50 uL
Lacrimal Fluid Function
- Moisten cornea
- Clear foreign objects away
- Protect eye
Lacrimal Fluid pH
~7.4
Cornea Absorption Factors - Physiological
- Lacrimal dilution
- Lacrimal drainage
- Blinking
- Spilling onto cheek
- Corneal barrier condition
- Physiologic pH
Cornea Absorption Factors - Chemical
- Size/structure of drug
- Lipophilicity of drug
- Degree of ionization
- Viscosity of product
- Drug solubility/[drug]
- Particle size if its a suspension