Biopolymer-Based In-Situ Gels for Glaucoma Treatment: A Mini-Review
Riya Patil, Sandip Bandgar, Anurag Panade, Sachin Mali, Anand Gadad, Sudarshan Singh, Pooja V. NagimeIntroduction:
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness globally. Conventional ophthalmic therapies, primarily eye drops, suffer from limitations, such as low bio-availability, rapid precorneal elimination, and poor patient compliance, often resulting in subop-timal therapeutic outcomes. This review aims to explore the potential of in-situ gel systems as a novel and effective drug-delivery approach for the management of glaucoma, addressing the limitations of conventional therapy.
Method:
A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on in situ gel systems for ocular delivery. Emphasis was placed on gelation mechanisms, polymer types, formulation strategies, clinical studies, and patent literature relevant to glaucoma therapy.
Results:
In-situ gels undergo a sol-to-gel transition upon exposure to physiological stimuli, such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength, enhancing ocular retention, bioavailability, and sustained release. Various polymers, natural and synthetic, have been successfully employed, including carbopol, Pluronic F-127, gellan gum, chitosan, and xyloglucan. Several formulations have demonstrated clinical efficacy, improved dosing convenience, and better patient adherence. Mar-keted products and patents indicate strong translational potential.
Discussion:
In-situ gels offer a promising platform for enhancing the effectiveness of glaucoma therapy. Despite notable progress, challenges remain regarding formulation stability, long-term tolerability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Future research should focus on optimizing delivery performance and overcoming regulatory and patient-centric hurdles.
Conclusion:
Biopolymer-based in-situ gels offer a promising, patient-friendly strategy for effec-tive glaucoma therapy, providing sustained intraocular pressure control, enhanced drug retention, and improved patient compliance.