Drug delivery systems in glaucoma - Current innovations and future perspectives

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, with intraocular pressure (IOP) management as the primary treatment.
• Traditional topical glaucoma treatments (eyedrops) are limited by poor patient compliance and drug bioavailability.
• Approved drug delivery systems like Durysta and iDose TR face adoption challenges due to economic and practical limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review limitations of current topical glaucoma therapies and approved drug delivery systems.
• To introduce gene therapy as a novel approach for IOP regulation, neuroprotection, and mitochondrial stress reduction.
• To explore nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for enhanced glaucoma treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current anti-glaucoma treatments and drug delivery systems.
• Analysis of FDA-approved sustained-release options (Durysta, iDose TR) and their limitations.
• Exploration of gene therapy and nanomedicine concepts for glaucoma treatment.

Main Results:

• Topical eyedrops and current sustained-release systems have significant limitations impacting efficacy and adoption.
• Gene therapy shows promise in animal models for glaucoma by targeting IOP, optic nerve protection, and mitochondrial function.
• Nanoparticle-based systems offer customizable, efficient, and cost-effective drug delivery potential.

Conclusions:

• Nanomedicine combined with gene therapy presents a novel, promising strategy to overcome current glaucoma treatment challenges.
• This integrated approach could lead to a new era of sustained and effective glaucoma management.
• Further research and development are needed to translate these advanced therapies into clinical practice.