Nanotechnology's Impact on Ocular Drug Delivery: A Meta-analysis-based Examination

Abstract

There are several challenges in ophthalmology due to the complex physiological structure of eye. In recent years, the field of ophthalmology has witnessed a surge in research exploring the potential of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are preferred for their biocompatibility and soluble nature, making them ideal for ophthalmic use. These properties aim to enhance the bioavailability of drugs in this system. We pooled data from various studies using nanotechnology-based formulations to evaluate their influence on ocular drug bioavailability, focusing on AUC as a key metric. A total of 21 studies conducted in different regions of the world were investigated. The investigation determined that nanotechnology-based formulations has a significant potential for improving ocular medications bioavailability. The meta-analysis results indicate that drugs coated with chitosan, chitosan-coated polylactic acid, and lipid carriers exhibit more significant improvement than the drugs without nano carriers.