Kang-Mieler Jennifer J, Mieler William F
Dev Ophthalmol. 2016;55:104-11. doi: 10.1159/000434694. Epub 2015 Oct 26.
Hydrogel as an ocular drug delivery platform holds great potential. Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic, polymeric networks capable of absorbing large amounts of water or biological fluids. They have the ability to swell in an aqueous solvent system, holding solvents within a cross-linked gel system for potential sustained delivery. Through manipulation of permeation and diffusion characteristics, they can retain hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents, small molecules and macromolecules. In addition, hydrogel can be combined with nano- or microspheres to enhance delivery capacity. The aqueous environment of hydrogels can also protect cells and pharmacological agents. Depending on the specific structure, they can be nondegradable or degradable in their application.
水凝胶作为一种眼部给药平台具有巨大潜力。水凝胶是三维亲水性聚合物网络，能够吸收大量水或生物流体。它们有能力在水性溶剂系统中溶胀，将溶剂保持在交联凝胶系统中以实现潜在的持续释放。通过控制渗透和扩散特性，它们可以保留疏水性和亲水性药物、小分子和大分子。此外，水凝胶可与纳米或微球结合以提高给药能力。水凝胶的水性环境还可保护细胞和药物制剂。根据具体结构，它们在应用中可以是不可降解的或可降解的。
