Review of Development of Ganciclovir as Potential Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ganciclovir (GCV) plays a vital role in the treatment and management of ocular viral infections such as Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. However, GCV has low corneal penetration, is poorly permeable across the membrane, and has poor drug bioavailability, which poses a challenge in treating eye diseases. Besides that, conventional topical eye formulations, such as eye drops, gels, and ointments, have limitations such as poor tear turnover, poor residence time of the drug, frequent dosing intervals, wastage of dosage, and excessive systemic absorption leading to poor ocular bioavailability. Many strategies have been investigated to improve corneal permeation and ocular bioavailability of GCV. The journal review was written using the library study method from 2001-2023, which contained information about the Ganciclovir Formulation for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery System. The journal review discussed some approaches to achieving therapeutic goals for GCV. The results of this review showed that some of these approaches, including liposome, microemulsion, nanoparticle microsphere, polymeric nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles, can improve the limitation of conventional formulation of GCV by increasing penetration, permeability, as well as bioavailability GCV in the ocular.