ABSTRACT Effective delivery of drug to the eye poses many problems through conventional eye drops due to its poor ocular retention and bioavailability. The use of nanocarriers provides interesting opportunities for topical ocular drug delivery. The association of an active drug to nanocarriers allows the drug to closely interact with specific ocular structures, also to overcome ocular barriers and to prolong its residence in the target area. Hence delivery of a drug through nanoparticles can accomplish main benefits like enhancement of drug permeation, controlled release, and targeting. Though several non polymeric and colloidal drug delivery systems, such as Prodrugs, Polymeric micelles, liposomes, neosome, nanoemulsions, nanocrystals and nanoparticles have been largely investigated and reported to enhance ocular bioavailability of ocular drugs. Owing to the submicron size of polymeric nanoparticles they are well tolerated and have the tendency to deposit in the cul-de-sac for prolonged period. In the present review our objective is focused on the fundamental aspects of polymeric nanoparticles as carrier for ocular drugs and its therapeutic applications with special emphasis to research studies in ocular delivery of polymeric nanoparticles with anti-infectious and anti inflammatory drugs
