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Pharmaceutics
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Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases
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Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2083

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Carracedo

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Guest Editor
Ocupharm Research Group, Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, C/Arcos de Jalón 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain
Interests: dry eye; myopia; contact lenses; ocular biochemistry; glaucoma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Vivero-Lopez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Interests: biomaterials characterization; hydrogels; polymeric micelles; drug delivery systems; controlled release; ocular delivery; drug-loaded contact lenses; antibiofilm medical devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our Special Issue on drug delivery systems for ocular diseases. It is known that topical instillation for the treatment of ocular diseases has important deficiencies, mainly due to the permeability barrier of the ocular surface. To improve the drug efficacy with low concentrations, new drug release systems have been developed in recent years. These systems allow for an increase in the release time and in drug penetration, enhancing the drug efficacy and tolerance.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: drug delivery systems, contact lens delivery, nanoparticles, liposomes, microneedles, and nanocarriers.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Carracedo
Dr. Maria Vivero-Lopez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ocular diseases
  • contact lens delivery
  • drug delivery systems
  • nanotechnology

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 999 KiB  
Article
Insulin-Enhanced Biological Visual Rehabilitation in Neuroretinal Degeneration Patients Treated with Mesenchymal Cell-Derived Secretome
by Paolo Giuseppe Limoli, Celeste Limoli and Marcella Nebbioso
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 901; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070901 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Objectives: Insulin plays a crucial role in neuronal survival and oxidative stress modulation, making it a potential therapeutic target. This study investigates the effects of insulin in combination with a mesenchymal cell-derived secretome in patients with degenerative neuroretinal diseases. Methods: Sixty-four patients with [...] Read more.
Objectives: Insulin plays a crucial role in neuronal survival and oxidative stress modulation, making it a potential therapeutic target. This study investigates the effects of insulin in combination with a mesenchymal cell-derived secretome in patients with degenerative neuroretinal diseases. Methods: Sixty-four patients with severe neuroretinal diseases who had previously undergone the Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT) were included in this longitudinal study and divided into groups: group 1 received a single injection of 5 units of insulin lispro into the suprachoroidal space of the worse-seeing eye; group 2 received insulin injection in the better-seeing eye. Retinal function was assessed using microperimetry (MY) before and after treatment (approximately 1 year for eye drops). Group 3 consisted of patients who demonstrated improvement in MY after insulin injection. These patients continued treatment with daily insulin eye drops. Results: In group 1, insulin-treated eyes showed a significant increase in retinal sensitivity from 10.09 dB to 10.75 dB (p = 0.0067), while untreated eyes declined from 12.35 dB to 11.92 dB (p = 0.0448). In group 2, insulin-treated eyes improved from 10.8 dB to 11.63 dB (p = 0.05), whereas untreated eyes exhibited a decline from 8.68 dB to 8.50 dB (p = 0.6771). In group 3, patients using insulin eye drops showed a stabilization or mild increase in retinal sensitivity, from 11.39 dB to 11.73 dB (p = 0.231). Conclusions: The addition of insulin in patients previously treated with the LRRT was associated with improved sensitivity and a stabilizing effect on neuroretinal function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases)
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31 pages, 14838 KiB  
Article
The Chemical Stability Characterization and Kinetics of Statins in Aqueous Cyclodextrin Ocular Preparations: A Formulation Perspective
by Ismael Abo Horan, Thorsteinn Loftsson and Hakon Hrafn Sigurdsson
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070808 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Background: Topical statin therapy holds promise for ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, but the effective delivery to the posterior segment is limited by poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and ocular barriers. Cyclodextrins (CDs) can enhance statin solubility and stability; however, [...] Read more.
Background: Topical statin therapy holds promise for ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, but the effective delivery to the posterior segment is limited by poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and ocular barriers. Cyclodextrins (CDs) can enhance statin solubility and stability; however, the behavior of CD–statin complexes in aqueous eye drops—particularly their influence on the equilibrium between the inactive lactone (ring closed) and active hydroxyacid forms (ring open)—remains unclear. This study aimed to (i) investigate how 5% and 10% (w/v) concentrations of selected CDs affect the lactone/acid equilibrium of simvastatin and atorvastatin and (ii) define formulation parameters (statin form, CD type and concentration, and pH range) for stable eye drop development. Methods: Simvastatin or atorvastatin was added to buffered solutions (pH 2.0 to pH 9.5) of RMβCD, HPβCD, γ-CD, or SBEβCD at 0%, 5%, and 10% (w/v), incubated at 23 ± 1 °C, and sampled over time for UPLC quantification of lactone and hydroxyacid forms, and rate constants for the forward and reverse reaction were calculated. Phase solubility studies were also conducted to further characterize equilibrium behavior in aqueous CD systems. Results: The lactone form was most stable at a pH of 4.5, while the hydroxyacid form prevailed at a pH ≥ 7. γ-CD and HPβCD accelerated lactone hydrolysis for both statins, whereas RMβCD exerted a stabilizing effect. Increasing the CD concentration from 5% to 10% provided minimal additional stabilization. Conclusions: These findings highlight that the precise control of the pH, an appropriate cyclodextrin choice, and the selection of the statin form are critical to developing chemically stable eye drops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases)
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Review

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14 pages, 1055 KiB  
Review
Tear Film and Keratitis in Space: Fluid Dynamics and Nanomedicine Strategies for Ocular Protection in Microgravity
by Ryung Lee, Rahul Kumar, Jainam Shah, Joshua Ong, Ethan Waisberg and Alireza Tavakkoli
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(7), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17070847 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES) has been reported among astronauts during both International Space Station (ISS) and Space Transportation System (STS) missions. As future missions extend beyond low Earth orbit, the physiological challenges of spaceflight include microgravity, radiation, and environmental stressors, which may [...] Read more.
Spaceflight-associated dry eye syndrome (SADES) has been reported among astronauts during both International Space Station (ISS) and Space Transportation System (STS) missions. As future missions extend beyond low Earth orbit, the physiological challenges of spaceflight include microgravity, radiation, and environmental stressors, which may further exacerbate the development of ocular surface disease. A deeper understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, along with the exploration of innovative countermeasures, is critical. In this review, we examine nanomedicine as a promising countermeasure for managing ophthalmic conditions in space, with the goal of enhancing visual health and mission readiness for long-duration exploration-class missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases)
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14 pages, 250 KiB  
Review
Unraveling the Mechanisms, Clinical Impact, Comparisons, and Safety Profiles of Slow-Release Therapies in Glaucoma
by Marco Zeppieri, Caterina Gagliano, Daniele Tognetto, Mutali Musa, Federico Bernardo Rossi, Angelo Greggio, Giuliano Gualandi, Alessandro Galan and Silvia Babighian
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(5), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17050580 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 477
Abstract
Glaucoma, a primary cause of irreversible blindness, is most effectively managed by reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Topical eye drops, which are conventional treatments, frequently encounter constraints regarding patient compliance, inconsistent dosage, and tolerability. Slow-release drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising innovation [...] Read more.
Glaucoma, a primary cause of irreversible blindness, is most effectively managed by reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Topical eye drops, which are conventional treatments, frequently encounter constraints regarding patient compliance, inconsistent dosage, and tolerability. Slow-release drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising innovation in response to these challenges. The objective of these systems is to enhance the efficacy of treatment and patient compliance by ensuring the consistent and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents over extended periods. Implantable devices, injectable formulations, and external applications are all categorized as slow-release therapies. By delivering medication directly to the target tissues in a controlled manner, these technologies have the potential to circumvent common issues associated with traditional regimens, such as forgotten doses or improper administration. These systems have been shown to obtain clinically meaningful reductions in IOP in studies, with some demonstrating efficacy that is comparable to that of established daily topical treatments. Despite their potential, slow-release therapies encounter obstacles that necessitate resolution. Potential complications during implantation or removal, long-term biocompatibility, and the cost of treatment are all areas of concern. Furthermore, further investigation is required to comprehensively assess their relative economic feasibility, patient acceptability, and long-term safety profiles in comparison to conventional treatments. This review summarizes the most recent findings in the scientific literature, underlining the role and possible limits of slow-release therapies in glaucoma with the aim of offering a comprehensive understanding of their potential clinical applications and challenges. This emphasizes the potential for these innovations to revolutionize care by addressing current knowledge gaps, while also emphasizing the areas in which further development and research are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases)
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