Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLE ON OPHTHALMIC INSERTS

Reshma Hegden P.*, Sreedevi T. T., Steffy P. Raju, Jiju V., Elessy Abraham

Abstract

The ocular insert represents a significant advancement in the therapy of eye disease. Ocular drug delivery is one of the most challenging tasks faced by Pharmaceutical researchers. Major objective of ocular inserts is to maintain a therapeutic level of the drug at the site of action for a prolonged duration. The ophthalmic preparations are available as sterile, buffered, isotonic solution. Ocular inserts offer several advantages as increased ocular residence and sustained release of medication into the eye. Several types of dosage forms are applied as the delivery system for the ocular delivery of drugs. The most prescribed dosage form is the eye drop solution as drops are easier to administer. Suspensions, gelled systems, ointment are also used for prolonged therapeutic action. Characteristics of ophthalmic preparations should be non-irritating to the ocular tissue, homogenous, relatively non-greasy, should not cause blurred vision and intolerable foreign body sensation. It should be sterile and adequately preserved, physically &chemically stable, efficacious. Prolonged drug release can be achieved using ophthalmic inserts, solid devices placed in the eye, but the inserts must then be removed when they are no longer needed. Ocuserts are the new drug delivery systems which are designed in such a way that they release the drug at predetermined and predictable rates thus eliminating the frequent administration of the drug. The release of drug from the insert depends upon the diffusion, osmosis and bio erosion of the drug.

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