ABSTRACT
Mycotic Keratitis is a distressing ocular infection, and if not diagnosed and treated effectively on time, results into severe damage in eyes. Nanocarriers containing antifungal drugs furthermore offer advantages like superior biocompatibility and biodegradability, targeting to precise zones of the eye globe, augmented diffusion of the drug across the barriers of the eye, enhancement of bioavailability of poorly water-soluble molecules and prolonged drug release eliminating frequent administration. Solid lipid nanoparticles are first generation lipid carriers in which the drug is entrapped within a solid lipid core matrix composed of triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, fatty acids, steroids and waxes. Nanostructured lipid carriers, second era of lipid nanoparticles, presented in the mid-1990s; comprises of a blend of solid and liquid lipids which results in a partially crystallized lipid system. Mycotic keratitis has moved from being a clinical rarity in the past to an ocular infection with highest incidence rates at present and the second most prevalent cause of corneal blindness in developing countries.
