Drug delivery to the suprachoroidal space

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular disease, and diabetic macular edema (DME) represent leading causes of vision loss from diseases that affect the posterior segment of the eye in developed countries (Augustin and Offermann 2006; Campbell et al. 2010; DRCR Network et al. 2009, 2010; Ip et al. 2009; Nomoto et al. 2009; Ramchandran et al. 2008; Soheilian et al. 2009; Stahl et al. 2007). Other posterior segment disorders, such as uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and optic nerve disease, also represent potentially treatable forms of blindness that involve disease processes that affect the posterior segment tissues of the eye, including the retina, choroid, and optic nerve (Cai et al. 2010; Giansanti et al. 2008; Gilger et al. 2010; Jacobson and Cideciyan 2010; Janoria et al. 2010; Kanamori et al. 2010). Administration or delivery of a specific drug to posterior segment tissues has gained significant attention in research and represents an important area of investigation. Our goal is to develop effective, targeted, and local delivery for the treatment of posterior segment diseases that affect vision. Recently, pharmaceutical innovation and development has produced new drugs for the treatment of the posterior segment, and novel drug delivery technologies are under investigation. Delivering drugs to the suprachoroidal space, a potential space between the choroid and the sclera, will be discussed and represents a new space that is gaining attention for novel drug delivery technology.