Promising Approach in the Treatment of Glaucoma Using Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine-Based Systems

Molecules. 2019 Oct 22;24(20):3805. doi: 10.3390/molecules24203805.

Abstract

Glaucoma is considered a leading cause of blindness with the human eye being one of the body's most delicate organs. Ocular diseases encompass diverse diseases affecting the anterior and posterior ocular sections, respectively. The human eye's peculiar and exclusive anatomy and physiology continue to pose a significant obstacle to researchers and pharmacologists in the provision of efficient drug delivery. Though several traditional invasive and noninvasive eye therapies exist, including implants, eye drops, and injections, there are still significant complications that arise which may either be their low bioavailability or the grave ocular adverse effects experienced thereafter. On the other hand, new nanoscience technology and nanotechnology serve as a novel approach in ocular disease treatment. In order to interact specifically with ocular tissues and overcome ocular challenges, numerous active molecules have been modified to react with nanocarriers. In the general population of glaucoma patients, disease growth and advancement cannot be contained by decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP), hence a spiking in future research for novel drug delivery systems and target therapeutics. This review focuses on nanotechnology and its therapeutic and diagnostic prospects in ophthalmology, specifically glaucoma. Nanotechnology and nanomedicine history, the human eye anatomy, research frontiers in nanomedicine and nanotechnology, its imaging modal quality, diagnostic and surgical approach, and its possible application in glaucoma will all be further explored below. Particular focus will be on the efficiency and safety of this new therapy and its advances.

Keywords: MEMs; drug delivery; glaucoma; imaging; intraocular pressure; nanomedicine; nanotechnology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Availability
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Drug Implants / adverse effects
  • Drug Implants / chemistry
  • Drug Liberation / genetics
  • Glaucoma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects*
  • Intraocular Pressure / physiology
  • Mice
  • Nanomedicine / methods*
  • Rabbits
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Trabecular Meshwork / cytology
  • Trabecular Meshwork / drug effects
  • Trabecular Meshwork / transplantation

Substances

  • Drug Implants