Intravitreal drug administration with depot devices.

The administration of medications by depot devices is a rapidly developing technology in ocular therapeutics. Sustained delivery of ophthalmic medications is a novel approach to treating chronic ocular conditions where systemic therapy may be accompanied by unwanted side effects and where repeated intravitreal drug administration carries significant risks. Eye diseases particularly suitable to this form of treatment include proliferative vitreoretinopathy and chronic intraocular infections such as cytomegalovirus retinitis. Liposomes, which have been extensively investigated over the last two decades, have not found any acceptable clinical application. Nonerodible polymers such as the ethylvinyl acetate/polyvinyl alcohol cup are in advanced phase III trials. The current status of microsphere development in the treatment of posterior segment disease is examined in the review and studies investigating the potential uses of the osmotic minipump are mentioned.