ABSTRACT
Most veterinary topical ophthalmic drugs and delivery systems are derived from human ocular formulations (1). However, differences in the eye anatomy and physiology of the animals encountered in veterinary practice and their unique diseases and specific responses to therapeutic agents are sufficient reasons for encouraging and promoting research and development in veterinary medicine. The convenience of medication application by the animal owner is a crucial issue in the selection of the therapeutic system. Indeed, frequent applications are often problematic for the owner and compliance is rather low, in addition to the risk of bite or scratch by the animals. For these reasons, a drug delivery system has been developed with the aim of increasing the residence time of the drug on the ocular surface, sustaining drug release and reducing the number of administrations. This system, the soluble bioadhesive ophthalmic drug insert (BODI), was patented by Gurtler in 1993 and is made of synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers (2).
