Polymeric Micelles for Ocular Delivery: Progress and Issues

Background: Polymeric micelles are nano –sized systems formed spontaneously in aqueous milieu through the self-assembly of GRAS listed/FDA approved polymeric surfactants. Development of polymeric micelles for ocular drug delivery has gained tremendous scientific interest owing to the fact that the drug-vehicle features affect the potentiality of site-specific transport of therapeutic actives. Objective: The present article highlights the therapeutic potential polymeric micelles as a drug delivery carrier in enhancing the retention and permeation at ocular site, thus, improvising the drug absorption. Considerable deliberations have been made to highlight the preclinical studies conducted so far on polymeric micelles depicting their importance in ocular delivery. Beneficial characteristics of polymeric micelles include development of environmentallyseparated system drugs via supramolecular assembly, installing therapeutically active substance on the surface, prolonged retention and stability. Various issues related to the usage of these have also been discussed followed by the clinical progress of the carrier. Despite the fact that polymeric micelles have demonstrated eminent preclinical outcomes, very few have been reached to clinical status and reported to be available in the market. Clinical trials of certain formulations are in progress. Conclusion: The nanosized delivery systems are efficient carrier systems that can be used for targeting the drug to both anterior and posterior ocular segments. As a non invasive method the polymeric micelles have tremendous therapeutic efficacy in targeting posterior ocular tissues thus, fulfilling the need for ophthalmic implications.