Metallic nano-warriors: Innovations in nanoparticle-based ocular antimicrobials

Eye infection is one of the most important causes of blindness. Due to the particularity of ocular structure, the enhancement of bacteria resistance, and the significant side effects of long-term medication, it is difficult to treat ocular antimicrobial diseases. The efficacy of medications currently employed is progressively becoming more restricted. The research and development of novel antimicrobial drugs is imperative and imminent in order to overcome the bottleneck problem. Metal nanoparticles have been developed rapidly in the field of biomedicine because of their brilliant antibacterial activity, long-lasting effect, and great bioavailability. Efficacy and biosafety proven in in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the promising prospect of metal nanoparticles for ocular antimicrobial therapy. Based on the development status of antibacterial metal nanoparticles in ophthalmology, we summarized the antibacterial mechanism of metal nanoparticles and the application of nano-antibacterial drugs in this field, emphasizing their advantages over conventional drugs, thus guiding clinical ophthalmic antibacterial therapy.