Research progress of nano delivery systems for intraocular pressure lowering drugs

Glaucoma is a chronic ocular disease characterized by optic atrophy and visual field defect. The main risk factor for glaucoma onset and progression is elevated intraocular pressure, which is caused by increased aqueous humor outflow resistance. Currently, the primary method for glaucoma therapy is the use of intraocular pressure lowering drugs. However, these drugs, when administered through eye drops, have low bioavailability, require frequent administration, and often result in adverse effects. To overcome these challenges, the application of nanotechnology for drug delivery has emerged as a promising approach. Nanoparticles can physically adsorb, encapsulate, or chemically graft drugs, thereby improving their efficacy, retention time, and reducing adverse reactions. Moreover, nanotechnology has opened up new avenues for ocular administration. This article provides a comprehensive review of nano systems for intraocular pressure lowering drugs, encompassing cholinergic agonists, β-adrenergic antagonists, α-adrenergic agonists, prostaglandin analogs, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Rho kinase inhibitors, and complex preparations. The aim is to offer novel insights for the development of nanotechnology in the field of intraocular pressure lowering drugs.