(436) Muco-penetrating nanoparticles to sustain drug release for ophthalmic drug delivery

Introduction: The gold standard for posterior drug delivery is via intravitreal injection, though prone to complications like endophthalmitis and retinal hemorrhage.[1] Eye drops, while easy to administer, are ineffective in posterior segment treatment due to physiological and anatomical constraints.[2] A tocopherol polyethylene glycol (PEG; 1kDa) succinate (TPGS)-coated nanoparticle (NP) offers a less invasive approach for posterior drug delivery. Coated with low molecular weight PEG, a permeation enhancer,[3] the NP is expected to improve the mobility through the mucin layer and aid in corneal diffusion.