Journal of Innovative Pharma and Drug Sciences
Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
The three-dimensional (3-D) printing model has been recognized as an ideal platform through which ocular drug delivery vehicles can bypass the natural anatomical and physiological barriers that limit the performance of traditional eye drops, suspensions, and injections. Through the ability to provide geometrical precision in regulating space and volume for drug loading, 3D printing can be used to create personalized, location-specific ocular dosage geometries capable of sustaining drug release, decreasing dosing frequency, and improving patient compliance and comfort. Rational design of 3D-printed devices has enabled the development of ocular inserts, microneedles, contact lenses, and microfluidic systems (Giri et al., 2024; Tan et al., 2022). Extrusion has been widely used in anterior segment therapy, in which ocular inserts capable of extending residence time and providing controlled drug release have been fabricated. More recently, sodium hyaluronate-derived hydrogel inserts loaded with liposomal moxifloxacin (SL:MOX) were printed as multilayered structures with consistent size and thickness. FTIR and SEM analyses demonstrated the successful production of liposomes (~150 nm) with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 80%, while maintaining uniform drug content and avoiding destructive drug–polymer interactions. In vivo, 10-layer SL:MOX inserts achieved approximately 71% drug release with a near zero-order release profile and slower release than non-liposomal MOX inserts and conventional eye drop formulations, resulting in improved ocular retention and bioavailability (Duman et al., 2024; Giri et al., 2024; Alzahrani et al., 2023). The treatment challenges associated with posterior segment diseases have stimulated the development of 3D-printed intraocular implants capable of prolonged drug delivery. Homogeneous dispersion of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) within a polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix has been achieved with loading efficiencies approaching 100% through precise geometry control, while eliminating residual organic solvents that may irritate ocular tissues. Implants with higher surface-area-to-volume ratios demonstrated the greatest cumulative drug release over 180 days in vitro, and release kinetics followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas diffusion model. Cytocompatibility exceeded 90% cell viability, highlighting the potential of customizable implants to provide sustained steroid delivery while reducing the need for repeated intravitreal injections (Annuryanti et al., 2023; Ioannou et al., 2023).
3D Print, Ocular Drug Delivery, physiological barriers, traditional eye drops
Annuryanti, F., Domínguez-Robles, J., Anjani, Q. K., Adrianto, M. F., Larrañeta, E., & Thakur, R. R. (2023). Fabrication and characterisation of 3D-printed triamcinolone acetonide-loaded polycaprolactone-based ocular implants. Pharmaceutics, 15(1), 243. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15010243
Alzahrani, A., Youssef, A. A., Nyavanandi, D., Tripathi, S., Bandari, S., Majumdar, S., & Repka, M. A. (2023). Design and optimization of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride biodegradable 3D printed ocular inserts: Full factorial design and in-vitro and ex-vivo evaluations: Part II. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 631, 122533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122533
Duman, G., Yıldır, İ., Macit, M., Genc, E., Sümer, E., Kale, S., & Deniz, İ. (2024). Development and evaluation of 3D-printed ocular insert containing liposomal moxifloxacin. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 92, 105353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105353
Fitaihi, R., Abukhamees, S., Chung, S. H., & Craig, D. Q. M. (2024). Optimization of stereolithography 3D printing of microneedle micro-molds for ocular drug delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 658, 124195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124195
Garg, P., Shokrollahi, P., Phan, C.-M., & Jones, L. (2025). Biodegradable 3D-printed conjunctival inserts for the treatment of dry eyes. Polymers, 17(5), 623. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17050623
Giri, B. R., Jakka, D., Sandoval, M. A., Kulkarni, V. R., & Bao, Q. (2024). Advancements in ocular therapy: A review of emerging drug delivery approaches and pharmaceutical technologies. Pharmaceutics, 16(10), 1325. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16101325
González-Fernández, F. M., Cauzzi, D. A., Bianchera, A., Gasco, P., Padula, C., Santi, P., Nicoli, S., & Pescina, S. (2025). 3D-printed setup for ocular drug delivery evaluation on ex vivo porcine whole eye. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 27966. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-27966-0
Ioannou, N., Luo, J., Qin, M., Di Luca, M., Mathew, E., Tagalakis, A. D., Lamprou, D. A., & Yu-Wai-Man, C. (2023). 3D-printed long-acting 5-fluorouracil implant to prevent conjunctival fibrosis in glaucoma. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 75(2), 276–286. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgac091
Mohamdeen, Y. M., Tabriz, A. G., Tighsazzadeh, M., Nandi, U., Khalaj, R., Andreadis, I., Boateng, J. S., & Douroumis, D. (2022). Development of 3D printed drug-eluting contact lenses. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 74(10), 1467–1476. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgac058
Swain, S. K., Jena, B. R., & Parhi, R. (2025). Recent developments and applications of 3D-printing technology in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems: A new research direction and future trends. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 31(1), 2–5.
Tan, G., Ioannou, N., Mathew, E., Tagalakis, A. D., Lamprou, D. A., & Yu-Wai-Man, C. (2022). 3D printing in ophthalmology: From medical implants to personalised medicine. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 625, 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122094
