Recent Advances in Smart Polymers-Based Therapeutics in Ophthalmology

Ophthalmic diseases represent a significant burden on global health, contributing to widespread visual impairment and blindness. The distinct anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye significantly restrict the use of conventional ocular delivery techniques. This has prompted research into cutting-edge drug delivery methods that optimize therapeutic benefits and reduce adverse effects. The use of polymer-based drug delivery systems is a promising technique that provides regulated drug release over long periods of time, enhances drug stability, and guarantees localized distribution to specific ocular tissues. This field has been revolutionized by recent advancements in smart polymer-based systems, which enable the development of drug delivery platforms that react dynamically to certain stimuli like pH, temperature, light, and enzymes. By releasing the active pharmaceutical ingredients only when specific conditions are met, these stimuli-responsive devices are intended for delivering medications in a controlled manner, improving treatment precision and minimizing undesirable systemic effects. This review summarizes recent developments in smart polymer-based therapies for ophthalmology, highlighting advances in stimuli-responsive, biodegradable, and multifunctional polymers that have the potential to transform ocular drug delivery, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and improve patient adherence in managing various eye conditions.