OCULAR INSERTS FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY

In spite of extensive pharmacological and clinical data pointing to th e usefulness and advantages of solid devices for topical drug delivery to the eye, liquid, and to a smaller extent, gel-type preparations ap pear to enjoy the ge continued interest of manufacturers and ophthalmo logists. In the present update, the authors discuss the advantages, di sadvantages and requirement for sucess of ocular inserts, and examine the few inserts which are available on the market or are being develop ed by pharmaceutical companies for drug delivery. The article discusse s S.O.D.I., Ocusert(R), Collagen Shields, Ocufit(R), Minidisc and Nods (R) with special attention to biological/clinical performances, and po tential for future applications and developments.