Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for Ocular Fundus Neovascularization Disease Management

Abstract

As an indispensable part of the human sensory system, visual acuity may be impaired and even develop into irreversible blindness due to various ocular pathologies. Among ocular diseases, fundus neovascularization diseases (FNDs) are prominent etiologies of visual impairment worldwide. Intravitreal injection of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor drugs remains the primary therapy but is hurdled by common complications and incomplete potency. To renovate the current therapeutic modalities, nanomedicine emerged as the times required, which has been endowed with advanced capabilities, able to fulfill the effective ocular fundus drug delivery and achieve precise drug release control, thus further improving the therapeutic effect. This review provides a comprehensive summary of advances in nanomedicine for FND management from state‐of‐the‐art studies. Firstly, we thoroughly introduce the current therapeutic modalities for FNDs, focusing on the key challenges of ocular fundus drug delivery. Secondly, we comprehensively reviewed nanocarriers for ocular posterior drug delivery based on the nanostructures: polymer‐based nanocarriers, lipid‐based nanocarriers, and inorganic nanoparticles. Thirdly, we elaborate on the characteristics of the fundus microenvironment, their pathological changes during FNDs, and corresponding strategies for constructing smart nanocarriers. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of nanomedicine for FND management are thoroughly discussed.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved