Vitreous Substitutes as Drug Release Systems
André Schulz, Peter Szurman
Abstract
Vitreous substitutes are traditionally used to stabilize the retina after vitrectomy. In recent years, various approaches have been developed for using the vitreous substitute not only as a tamponade but also as a drug release system to tackle ocular diseases. This review provides an overview of the requirements for vitreous substitutes and discusses the current clinically applied as well as novel polymer-based vitreous substitutes as drug delivery systems, including their release mechanisms, efficiencies, challenges, and future perspectives.
Topics & Concepts
TamponadeVitrectomyDrug deliveryDrugOphthalmologyMedicineComputer scienceNanotechnologyMaterials sciencePharmacologyVisual acuityRetinal and Macular SurgeryRetinal Diseases and TreatmentsIntraocular Surgery and Lenses