Summary of recent applications of hydrogels as conjunctival DDS

DiseaseHydrogel compositionDelivery route & active ingredientsStudy phaseRelease durationAdvantages & limitationsReference
GlaucomaChitosan; sodium alginateSubconjunctival implant; inner core: timolol maleate; outermost layer: levofloxacinIn vitro; in vivo (rabbits)Levofloxacin: 9 days; timolol maleate: up to 17 daysPhotothermal effect: release more drugs upon irradiation; multidrug delivery system with structures that resemble the different layers of a lollipop; cause eye discomfort after long-term use; long-term toxicity needs to be investigated[64]
Hyaluronic acidThin films in the conjunctival sac; timololIn vitro; ex vivo (pigs)Over 24 hoursDirect loading of drug into HA-based matrices; drug availability across the entire film surface; lack of in vivo experiments[65]
Corneal alkali burnPLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock polymerSubconjunctival injection; adalimumab; afliberceptIn vitro; in vivo 3 monthsThermosensitive; complete inhibition of corneal neovascularization; increased protection of the retina and optic nerve; minimal systemic exposure; the extent to which the drug delivery system affects therapeutic outcomes of TNF-α/VEGF inhibition is not clear[66]

DDS: drug delivery systems; HA: hyaluronic acid; PLGA-PEG-PLGA: poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); TNF-α/VEGF: tumor necrosis factor alpha/vascular endothelial growth factor