ABSTRACT
The eye presents special challenges for drug delivery in the treatment of various ocular diseases. Many of the conventional therapeutic modalities have not adequately solved these problems. Medicated biodegradable devices used for drug delivery may offer several advantages over conventional ocular drug delivery methods. These polymeric drug delivery systems may be adaptable to particular situations by changing their size, shape, and composition depending on the characteristics of the drug being delivered and the intended site of treatment. To a certain degree the drug release characteristics of these devices can be modeled mathematically, but empirical trials are ultimately necessary to demonstrate safety and efficacy. These medicated bioerodible ophthalmic devices have a promising future in the treatment of various ocular diseases.
