Abstract

OCULAR INSERTS: AN OVERVIEW

Sathe Komal Pramod* and Khedkar Amol Navnath

ABSTRACT

The goal of pharmacotherapeutics is the attainment if an effective drug concentration at the intended site of action for a desired length of a time. The ocular insert represents a significant advancement in the therapy of eye disease. They are composed of a polymeric support that may or may not contain a drug. The use of ocular inserts, which are solid devices to be placed in the cul-de-sac or on the cornea, represents one of the possibilities to reach increased residence time. These solid ophthalmic devices present the advantage of avoiding a pulsed release due to multiple applications. They improve patient compliance by reducing the frequency of dosing. They reduce the dose and thereby reduce the adverse effects of the drug. The release of drug from the insert depends upon the diffusion, osmosis and bioerosion of the drug. But ocular inserts have certain limitations such as risk of leakage, loss during sleep or while rubbing the eye. In this review, we have focused on the mechanism of action, classification, evaluation and advantages of ocular insert. The present review is an attempt to present a brief information about ocular inserts.

Keywords: Ocular inserts, characteristics, evaluation, Lacrisert, formulation, ocular insert devices.