Preface

Over the last three decades, considerable attention has been paid to the field of ocular drug delivery due to challenges encountered in delivery of ocular drugs. The global market for ocular therapeutics in 2008 was approximately $ 12.5 billion, which has been rising at a constant rate of 9% every year. This result was achieved from significant research efforts provided by ocular drug delivery scientists and researchers across the globe. Despite the complex anatomy and physiology of the eye, drug delivery to this globe has been widely explored with many novel drug delivery systems, devices and newly developed technologies such as nanotechnology, iontophoresis and phonophoresis. The primary objective of this eBook is to provide a comprehensive understanding of ocular barriers and highlight current progress in the field of ocular drug delivery.

In this eBook, recent advances and developments in ocular drug delivery systems have been specifically addressed. Ocular anatomy and physiology along with a distinctive comparison between conventional and novel routes for drug delivery have been described. A detailed review on the development of liposomes, nanoparticles, implants and nanomicelles which has revolutionized drug delivery to both anterior and posterior segment of the eye has also been discussed. Novel strategies such as ocular iontophoresis, phonophoresis and transporter targeted prodrug delivery which are being currently investigated for improving ocular drug delivery have also been provided. This eBook will definitely serve as an excellent reference to all future ocular researchers and scientists striving to improve drug delivery to the eye.