The suprachoroidal pathway: a new drug delivery route to the back of the eye

Drug Discov Today. 2015 Apr;20(4):491-5. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.10.010. Epub 2014 Oct 30.

Abstract

The development of safe and convenient drug delivery strategies for treatment of posterior segment eye diseases is challenging. Although intravitreal injection has wide acceptance amongst clinicians, its use is associated with serious side-effects. Recently, the suprachoroidal space (SCS) has attracted the attention of ophthalmologists and pharmaceutical formulators as a potential site for drug administration and delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. This review highlights the major constraints of drug delivery to the posterior eye segment, key anatomical and physiological features of the SCS and drug delivery applications of this route with emphasis on microneedles along with future perspectives.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Ophthalmic
  • Animals
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
  • Choroid / anatomy & histology
  • Choroid / drug effects*
  • Choroid / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraocular
  • Miniaturization
  • Needles
  • Ocular Absorption
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / metabolism
  • Posterior Eye Segment / anatomy & histology
  • Posterior Eye Segment / drug effects*
  • Posterior Eye Segment / metabolism

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations