THE USE OF IN-SITU HYDROGEL IN OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY

Abstract

Ocular drug delivery has remained as one of the most challenging and interesting task for pharmaceutical scientists. The conventional ocular drug delivery systems like solutions, suspensions, ointments, polymeric insert show drawbacks such as lack patient compliance, increased precorneal elimination, and blurred vision. In situ-forming hydrogels are liquid based upon phase transition in the ocular cul-de-sac to form viscoelastic gel and this provides a response to environmental changes. In the past few years, an impressive number of novel temperature, pH, and ion induced in situ-forming systems have been reported for sustain ophthalmic drug delivery. This review includes effect of polymers, temperature and pH in situ-forming polymeric systems used to achieve prolonged contact time of drugs with the cornea and increase their bioavailability.