Comprehensive Lecture on Ocular
Pharmacology, July 14th 2025
,Objectives
● Drug Formulations
● Routes of administration
● Types: Antimicrobials, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-glaucoma, Artificial
tears, Mydriatics
● Dyes
,Introduction to ocular pharmacology
Importance of ocular pharmacology in clinical practice
● Diagnostic aid - Mydriatics e.g., Tropicamide and Cycloplegics e.g., Cyclopentolate are
essential for comprehensive eye exams, allowing visualisation of internal structures
● Surgical support - Antiseptics, IOP-lowering agents, and steroids are used preoperatively.
Viscoelastics, anesthetics, and antimicrobials are used intraoperatively. Antibiotics,
Corticosteroids, and NSAIDs are used postoperatively to manage inflammation, infection and
pain.
● Targeted treatment of eye diseases - Prostaglandins and Beta blockers are used to treat
glaucoma. Corticosteroid and immunomodulatory are used to treat Uveitis. Anti-VEGF e.g.,
Ranibizumab is used to treat Age related macular degenerations. Antibiotics and antivirals are
used to treat ocular infections, preserving vision and preventing blindness.
, Unique anatomical and physiological barriers in the eye
Static barriers - these are structural components that physically impede drug passage;
● Corneal epithelium (outer layer of cornea) - lipophilic barrier that serve as the primary rate-limiting barrier
for hydrophilic drug absorption
● Blood-Aqueous Barrier (between ciliary body and aqueous humour). It is formed by tight junctions of
non-pigmented epithelium of the ciliary body, the junctions of the iriudial tissues and the endothelial cells
of the iris blood vessels. Regulates entry into anterior chamber by restricting movement of molecules
from the blood into the aqueous humor, maintaining the eye’s internal environment
● Blood-Retinal Barrier (Retina and choroid) - it is made up of non fenestrated capillaries of the retinal
circulation and tight junction between retinal epithelial cells. Protects neutral Retina by preventing the
passage of the large molecules from the choriocapillaris into the retina
● Conjunctival and Scleral barriers (surface and outer coat of the eye) - the scleral permeability is
dependent on molecular weight. It is more permeable to hydrophilic than lipophilic molecules, thereby
limiting the transport of larger drugs to the posterior segment.
Pharmacology, July 14th 2025
,Objectives
● Drug Formulations
● Routes of administration
● Types: Antimicrobials, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-glaucoma, Artificial
tears, Mydriatics
● Dyes
,Introduction to ocular pharmacology
Importance of ocular pharmacology in clinical practice
● Diagnostic aid - Mydriatics e.g., Tropicamide and Cycloplegics e.g., Cyclopentolate are
essential for comprehensive eye exams, allowing visualisation of internal structures
● Surgical support - Antiseptics, IOP-lowering agents, and steroids are used preoperatively.
Viscoelastics, anesthetics, and antimicrobials are used intraoperatively. Antibiotics,
Corticosteroids, and NSAIDs are used postoperatively to manage inflammation, infection and
pain.
● Targeted treatment of eye diseases - Prostaglandins and Beta blockers are used to treat
glaucoma. Corticosteroid and immunomodulatory are used to treat Uveitis. Anti-VEGF e.g.,
Ranibizumab is used to treat Age related macular degenerations. Antibiotics and antivirals are
used to treat ocular infections, preserving vision and preventing blindness.
, Unique anatomical and physiological barriers in the eye
Static barriers - these are structural components that physically impede drug passage;
● Corneal epithelium (outer layer of cornea) - lipophilic barrier that serve as the primary rate-limiting barrier
for hydrophilic drug absorption
● Blood-Aqueous Barrier (between ciliary body and aqueous humour). It is formed by tight junctions of
non-pigmented epithelium of the ciliary body, the junctions of the iriudial tissues and the endothelial cells
of the iris blood vessels. Regulates entry into anterior chamber by restricting movement of molecules
from the blood into the aqueous humor, maintaining the eye’s internal environment
● Blood-Retinal Barrier (Retina and choroid) - it is made up of non fenestrated capillaries of the retinal
circulation and tight junction between retinal epithelial cells. Protects neutral Retina by preventing the
passage of the large molecules from the choriocapillaris into the retina
● Conjunctival and Scleral barriers (surface and outer coat of the eye) - the scleral permeability is
dependent on molecular weight. It is more permeable to hydrophilic than lipophilic molecules, thereby
limiting the transport of larger drugs to the posterior segment.
