Biodegradable polymers (both synthetic and natural) have been extensively
explored for ophthalmic applications. These biomaterials are mainly biocompatible and
biodegradable in nature. Moreover, different biodegradable polymers have different
physico-chemical properties which can further be modulated to formulate desirable drug
products. A wide range of ocular drug delivery systems such as implants, inserts,
corneal shields, contact lenses, micelles, nanoparticles, microparticles, liposomes,
dendrimers and stimuli sensitive hydrogels can be formulated with biodegradable
polymers. Moreover, controlled drug delivery systems made up of biodegradable
polymers can deliver a variety of therapeutic molecules including hydrophilic and
hydrophobic small and macromolecules for prolonged periods to the targeted ocular
tissues. In this chapter, we reviewed various synthetic and natural biodegradable
polymers applied to ocular drug delivery.
Keywords: Alginates, biodegradable polymers, chitosan, collagen, fibrin, gelatin,
hyaluronic acid, poly alkyl cyanoacrylates, poly amino acids, poly anhydrides, poly
caprolactone, polyester, polyglycolide, polylactide, poly (lactide-co-glycolide),
polysaccharides.
