Recent advances of novel nanoformulations combatting blue light hazards in the retina

Exposure to blue light significantly threatens retinal health, affecting approximately 73 % of the global population. It impairs vision, lowers the quality of life, and adds to public health challenges. Its treatment is getting difficult due to chronicity, limited drug efficacy, side effects, and ocular barriers that hinder conventional drug delivery. Nanoformulations (NFs) have gained attention as adaptable drug delivery systems (DDSs), offering controlled release and customizable physicochemical characteristics. Their application in ocular therapy has shown promise for targeting both anterior and posterior segments of the eye. By accommodating a broad spectrum of therapeutic agents, these nanocarriers help address the limitations of traditional retinal drug delivery methods and offer potential in mitigating blue light-induced retinal damage. Several NFs have shown significant promise in addressing blue light hazards and the retina-related diseases through various mechanisms. Nano-based formulations offer promising strategies for protecting the retina and treating retinal diseases caused by blue light exposure. Antioxidant-loaded liposomes and hydrogels, such as those containing lutein and zeaxanthin, help reduce oxidative stress. In contrast, curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) mitigate inflammation in conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Polymeric NPs enable gene-specific silencing of pathogenic targets, and metallic NPs enhance photothermal therapy by selectively destroying abnormal retinal cells. These advanced delivery systems, including protective nanofilms, offer improved bioavailability, targeted delivery, and minimal side effects, making them effective tools in combating retinal damage. This review emphasizes the potential of NFs for advanced drug delivery against blue light-induced retinal hazards, highlighting pharmaceutical and pharmacological findings, recent insights, key challenges, and proposed solutions for a better future.