Opthalmic route of administration by Sandeep Mewada

1. OPTHALMIC ROUTE OF
ADMINISTRATION
Sandeep Mewada

2. Ophthalmic Preparations
• Ophthalmic preparations are the specialized dosage
forms designed to be instilled on to the external surface
of the eye (topical) administered inside (intraocular) or
adjacent (periocular) to the eye.
• • The most commonly employed ophthalmic dosages are:
 Solutions
 Suspensions
 Ointments
• • The newest dosage forms for ophthalmic delivery are:
 Gel-Forming Solutions(Situ Gels)
 Ocular Inserts
 Contact lenses with drugs

3. Ophthalmic Preparations
• Ophthalmic preparations are sterile products
that are intended to be applied to the eyelids or
placed in the space between the eyelids and the
eyeball .
• One of the problems associated with the use of
ophthalmic solutions is the rapid loss of
administered drug due to the blinking of the
eye and the flushing effect of lacrimal fluids
lost through tears.

5. • Ophthalmic Novel
• Drug Delivery
• System

6. Ocular Inserts
• Inserts are solid or semisolid dosage forms without
disadvantages of traditional ophthalmic drug forms . show the
ability to stay in conjunctival sac for a longer period, and are
more stable than conventional dosage forms. Polymeric
materials most often employed in developing inserts include,
for example, methylcellulose and its derivatives, that is,
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) etc
• Advantages:
• Accurate dosing
• The possibility of slow substance release with constant speed
• Limiting its systemic absorption. Moreover, using them
enables reduction of the drug application frequency,
• Decrease adverse effects and blurring of vision occurrence.

7. Ocusert device
• Example of this is the Ocusert Device for pilocarpine
membrane-controlled delivery.
• Pilocarpine is available in a membrane controlled
reservoir system that is used in the treatment of glaucoma.
• Pilocarpine is sandwiched between two EVA membranes.
It also contains alginic acid, a seaweed carbohydrate,
which serves as a carrier for Pilocarpine .
• The small, clear device has a white annular border made
of EVA copolymer impregnated with titanium dioxide
(pigment) that makes it easier for the patient to see.
• The insert is placed in the cul-de-sac, where it will float
with the tears. The Pilocarpine will diffuse from the
device and exert its pharmacologic effect

8. Ophthalmic Inserts Lacrisert
• This medications is an insert that is placed in your
eye to treat dry eye.
• It is usually used when an artificial tears solution is
not successful.
• It is used to treat certain other eye disorders (
keratitis , decreased corneal sensitivity) Lacrisert is a
rod-shaped water soluble form of hydroxypropyl
cellulose.
• The insert is placed in the inferior cul-de-sac of the
eye once or twice daily for the treatment of dry eyes.
• The inserts soften and slowly dissolve it help in
thickening the precorneal tear film and prolonging
the tear film breakup.

10. Gel-forming solutions
• They are semisolid viscous liquids, showing the
ability to undergo solto- gel transitions when
influenced by external factors, like appropriate
pH, temperature, and the presence of
electrolytes.
• This property causes slowing of drug drainage
from the eyeball surface and increase of the
active ingredient bioavailability.
• Polymers employed in developing these drug.

12. Gel Extended Release Product
• Certain preparations are designed to prolong the
action of drug or to extend the action of drug
• One example of these Ophthalmic Product in
which viscosity increasing agents are used to
increase the corneal contact time of drug i.e.
• Timolol maleate ( Timoptic -XE, Merck) employs
gellan gum which forms a gel upon contact with
the precorneal tear film.

13. Contact Lenses Coated with Drugs
• This drug form can absorb on its surface watersoluble
substances, released after applying the drug over the
eyeball for a longer period of time.
• The first and most widely used polymer in the production
of lenses was the cross-linked poly (2-hydroxyethyl
methacrylate) with small amount of ethylene glycol
dimethylacrylate.
• In recent years, research has been conducted on employing
silicon-based lenses. Interest in contact lenses still grows.
• Examples of drugs whose pharmaceutical availability from
lenses was researched include timolol , ciprofloxacin ,
dexamethasone , and cyclosporine .