This document discusses ocular inserts, which are thin, multilayered devices placed in the eye to provide sustained release of drugs for ocular diseases. It describes how ocular inserts are made of biodegradable polymers and can achieve increased bioavailability. The document outlines different types of ocular inserts including insoluble inserts like reservoir and matrix systems, and soluble inserts made from natural or synthetic polymers. It also discusses advantages of ocular inserts like reduced systemic side effects and improved patient compliance compared to traditional eye drop delivery.

1. OCULAR INSERTS: ADVANCEMENTS IN
THERAPY USED FOR OCULAR DISEASES
SUBMITTED TO:
MISS DEEP SHIKHA SHARMA
(ASSISTANT PROFESSOR)

2. INTRODUCTION
• Ocular inserts are defined as thin, multilayered,
drug-impregnated, sterile, solid or semisolid
devices placed in the cul-de-sac or conjunctival
sac of the eye
• These are developed to achieve sustained release
and increased bioavailability of drug
• Ocular inserts are made up of biodegradable
polymers or collagen
Addo, E., Bamiro, O. A., & Siwale, R. (2016). Anatomy of the eye and common diseases affecting the eye. In Ocular Drug Delivery: Advances, Challenges and
Applications (pp. 11–25). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47691-9_2

3. OCULAR DRUG
DELIVERY
• Most used route for administration of drugs for
treatment of ocular diseases
• Especially used of administration in ocular surface
and the anterior segment
• Traditionally drugs were administered through
formulation like eye drops, eye ointments, eye
lotions, etc.
Ahmar, K., Syed Naiem, R., Asif, I., Bashir, S., Taha Umair, W., & Nisar Ahmad, K. (2019). Ocular Inserts: A Novel Approach in Ocular Drug Delivery
INTRODUCTION. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 9(4), 693–703. https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v9i4.3207

4. STRUCTURE OF EYE
• Most complex organ of human
eye
• It provides vision
• The eyeballs occupy 1/5th area of
the orbital space
• Functioning of eye:
• The light rays are converted into
electrochemical signals and
impulse are generated in the
neurons which provides signals to
brain
Buffault, J., Labbé, A., Hamard, P., Brignole-Baudouin, F., & Baudouin, C. (2020). The trabecular meshwork: Structure, function and clinical implications. A
review of the literature. In Journal francais d’ophtalmologie (Vol. 43, Issue 7, pp. e217–e230). NLM (Medline). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2020.05.002

5. STRUCTURE OF EYE
The eyeball has three major layers:
• The outer fibrous layer: sclera and cornea
• The uveal vascular layer: choroid, ciliary
body and iris
• The inner nervous layer: retina
The eye is basically divided into two segments:
1. Anterior segment
2. Posterior segment
The anterior segment consists of:
• Cornea
• Iris
• Pupil
• Conjunctiva
• Ciliary body
• Aqueous humor
• Trabecular meshwork
• Lens
The posterior segment consists of :
• Vitreous humor
• Retina
• Sclera
• Choroid
• Optic nerve

6. CLASSIFICATION OF OCULAR
INSERTS
Ocular inserts
Insoluble
Reservoir
system
Diffusional
inserts
Osmotic inserts
Matrix system
Contact lens
Rigid Semi-rigid Elastomeric Soft hydrophilic biopolymeric
Soluble
Natural
polymer
Synthetic/
Semi- synthetic
Bio-erodible
SODI
Collagen
sheilds

7. INSOLUBLE
INSERTS
• These inserts are made up of insoluble polymers
• After drug delivery these are needed to be
removed
• The insoluble inserts are further classified as:
1. Reservoir system
2. Matrix system
Buffault, J., Labbé, A., Hamard, P., Brignole-Baudouin, F., & Baudouin, C. (2020). The trabecular meshwork: Structure, function and clinical implications. A
review of the literature. In Journal francais d’ophtalmologie (Vol. 43, Issue 7, pp. e217–e230). NLM (Medline). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2020.05.002

8. RESERVOIR
SYSTEM
• It contains a solid matrix, a semi solid, a gel, a
colloid, a liquid or a carrier containing drug.
• The is made up natural or synthetic or organic or
hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers
• Based on mechanism of drug release these are
further classified as:
(a) Diffusional inserts or ocuserts
(b) Osmotic inserts
Buffault, J., Labbé, A., Hamard, P., Brignole-Baudouin, F., & Baudouin, C. (2020). The trabecular meshwork: Structure, function and clinical implications. A
review of the literature. In Journal francais d’ophtalmologie (Vol. 43, Issue 7, pp. e217–e230). NLM (Medline). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2020.05.002

9. DIFFUSIONAL INSERTS
• Made up of –
• Central reservoir.
• Microporous polymer membrane.
• They slowly releases the drug in the
cul-de-sac at constant rate
1. Kaul, S., Kumar, G., & Kothiyal, P. (2012). AN INSIGHT INTO OCULAR INSERT. IJPSR, 3(7), 7. www.ijpsr.com
2. Kumari, A., Sharma, P. K., Garg, V. K., & Garg, G. (2010a). Ocular inserts-Advancement in therapy of eye diseases. In Journal of Advanced

10. ELEMENTS OF DIFFUSIONAL INSERTS
Central reservoir Glycerin, water, ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol, ethyl cellulose mixed
with water, sodium alginate, ethylene,
or poly stearate.
Microporous membrane Polysulfones, polyvinyl chloride,
polycarbonates, cellulose esters,
crosslinked poly(ethyl oxide), crosslinked
polyvinyl pyrrolidine, crosslinked polyvinyl
alcohol.

11. OSMOTIC
INSERTS
• Composed of two compartments
• Central compartment
• Peripheral compartment (osmotic solutes)
• These are sandwiched between a rate controlling membrane.
• Based on the revoir the osmotic inserts are of two types:
• Type 1
• Type 2
• Type 1
• Central part is made up of single drug reservoir with or without
osmotic solutes in the polymeric matrix
• Type 2
• Central compartment is composed of two distinct compartments.
• Separate compartments for drug and osmotic solute

12. MATRIX SYSTEM
• Second type of insoluble inserts
• Composed of cross-linked hydrophilic or
hydrophobic polymers
• These type of inserts can retain water, aqueous
solutions of drugs or solid components
• Mainly comprises of contact lens
Nagaich, U. (2014). Recent advances in ocular drug delivery system. In Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research (Vol. 5, Issue 4, p. 151).
Medknow Publications. https://doi.org/10.4103/2231-4040.143022

13. SOLUBLE INSERTS
• As the name indicates these inserts are soluble in
nature i.e., there is no need for removal after drug
release
• These are made up of hydrophilic polymers
• Based on the polymers used these are further
classified as:
1. Natural polymers
2. Synthetic polymers
Gukasyan, H. J., Hailu, S., & Karami, T. K. (2019). Ophthalmic Drug Discovery and Development. In Pharmaceutical Research (Vol. 36, Issue 5). Springer
New York LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-019-2606-7

14. NATURAL POLYMERS
• Made up of natural polymers
• Manufacturing is not easy
• Best known polymers are collagen,
chitosan and gelatin
• Drug releases as the polymer dissolves
SYNTHETIC POLYMERS
• Man made
• These are preferred over natural
polymers because of the ease of
manufacturing.
• Generally used synthetic polymers are
methyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl
cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose
• Drug is released by tear penetration

15. BIO ERODIBLE
INSERTS
• Inserts are composed of bio-erodible polymers
(example: polyester derivatives, crosslinked gelatin
derivatives)
• Dissolution occurs by hydrolysis of chemical bonds
• They are specifically used for implants because after
the release of drug, they are not needed to be
eliminated
• They have ability to modify the rate of release of
drug by erosion after altering the chemical structure
of polymers
• Commonly used bio-erodible inserts are SODI,
collagen shields, minidiscs
S, R. K., & K, N. R. (n.d.). Review on Ocular Inserts. In International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN (Vol. 1, Issue 2).

16. OCULAR INSERT
DEVICES NAME DESCRIPTION
Ocuserts Flexible, flat, and elliptical insoluble device that consists of two
layers and enclosing reservoir. These are especially used for
pilocarpine delivery for 7days.
Laciserts These are rose shaped devices. These are made up of hydroxy
propyl cellulose. It is used as an alternative for tears in eye
syndrome
Dry drops It is preservative free hydrophilic polymer solutions. These are
freeze dried on the soft hydrophobic carrier strips and then
immediately hydrated in tear strip.
Gelfoam Gelfoam slabs are impregnated with the mixture of drug and
cetyl esters wax in chloroform.
Collagen shields These are flat, elliptical, flexible insoluble devices consisting of
two layers and a drug reservoir.
Minidiscs These are also known as ocular therapeutics. These 4-5mm in
diameter made up of either hydrophilic or hydrophobic disc.
SODI These are soluble small oval wafers composed of soluble
copolymer that consists of acetylamide, ethyl acetate which
upon insertion softens.

17. METHODS USED
FOR
PREPARATION OF
OCULAR INSERTS
• By electrospinning method
• Ionic gelation method
• Solvent cast technique
• Melt cast technique
• Film hydration technique
• Lyophilization

18. ADVANTAGES OF
OCULAR INSERTS
1. Systemic absorption is reduced
2. Precise dosing
3. Less systemic and visual side effects (because of less dose
frequency)
4. The intern ocular tissue is directly targeted through conjunctival
sacs
5. Improved patient compliance
6. Shelf life is increased
7. The rate of drug release is constant and slow
8. Increased bioavailability
9. Prolonged drug release
10. Less preservatives

19. CONCLUSION
The main aim to design ocular inserts is to overcome the
drawbacks of traditional ocular drug delivery systems i.e., eye
drops, eye gels etc. the ophthalmic inserts provides prolonged
residence time and sustained release of drugs in the cul-de-
sac.
For development of these insert variable techniques of
production are used according to drug stability and
compatibility with the polymers used.
The major advantage of ocular inserts is that these inserts are
palatable into unit dosage forms. Thus, accurate amount of
drug is delivered with prolonged release.

20. REFERENCES
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-011-0018-2
2. Bhowmik, D., Sampath Kumar, K. P., Harish3, G., Duraivel, S., & Pragathi Kumar, B. (2012). Ocular Inserts: A
Novel Controlled Drug Delivery System Charecterization of Ayurvedic nanomedicine Abhrak Bhasma View
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with sustained release properties as a carrier for thermolabile therapeutics Evaluatie van nieuw ontwikkelde
HPMC oculaire inserten met verlengde afgifte.
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21. PUBLICATION

22. THANK YOU