Chapter 10 - Chitosan-based nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery

In recent years, nanotechnology-based pharmaceutical formulations have gained much importance. It is due to their ability to improve bioavailability at the intended site of action. Improvement in bioavailability can be associated with their ability to proficiently penetrate through tight junctions. Chitosan-based nanoparticulate systems have been extensively and successfully studied in drug delivery and found notable applications in ocular drug delivery. The mucoadhesive property of chitosan improves the ocular residence time of the formulations within the cul-de-sac. An increase in ocular residence time concurrently enhances the transmucosal permeation of the drugs. The current chapter briefly discusses the application of chitosan-based nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery. For a better understanding, the chapter also gives prior knowledge on the anatomy of the eye, different ocular barriers, and the properties of chitosan for ocular drug delivery.