Application of Thermogels to the Anterior of the Eye as Alternatives to Conventional Eyedrops

Abstract The anterior of the eye can be affected by numerous different diseases, but the treatment of these diseases is dominated by topical formulations which are well documented to be largely ineffective. To increase the efficacy of these drugs, thermogel formulations have been developed for sustained release following application to the anterior of the eye. These thermogel formulations have been designed for either injectable or topical application. The types of polymers used to create the thermogels, testing methods, and subsequent performance will be outlined in this review. The current trends in design including increasing mechanical performance, utilizing designed degradation, incorporation of micro or nanoparticles, and developing mucoadhesion formulations are also highlighted.