G Akhila, P Venkata Anudeep and Y Prapurna Chandra
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes, is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness worldwide. This condition is associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and is characterized by significant neurovascular damage in the retina. The underlying pathological mechanisms of DR involve neurodegeneration, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Current therapeutic approaches for DR, including anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, corticosteroids, laser photocoagulation, and vitrectomy, have notable limitations. DR results from damage to the retinal blood vessels, leading to progressive vision loss in diabetic individuals. Intraocular drug delivery systems (IDDS) have emerged as a promising method for administering medications directly into the eye to manage DR effectively. Given the frequent need for intravitreal injections—typically on a monthly or bimonthly basis—to achieve therapeutic outcomes, recent research has concentrated on developing extended-release drug delivery systems. These advancements aim to reduce treatment frequency while maintaining efficacy. Strategies under clinical and preclinical evaluation include intravitreal implants, nanoparticles, hydrogels, combined systems, and port delivery devices, designed to ensure sustained drug release and improve patient outcomes.
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