Smart Polymer‐Based Drug Delivery Systems for Managing Infective Conjunctivitis: Advances and Future Prospects

ABSTRACT Nanotechnology‐based smart polymer delivery systems are transforming the treatment of infective conjunctivitis, a common ocular condition caused by bacterial or viral infections. Conventional therapies often suffer from poor bioavailability and limited patient compliance, largely due to the eye's protective mechanisms that rapidly clear administered drugs. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, dendrimers, and nanogels, offer innovative solutions for targeted and effective drug delivery. Integration of smart polymers further enhances therapeutic efficiency by responding to environmental triggers, including pH, temperature, or enzymatic activity, enabling controlled and sustained drug release. This review emphasizes the role of stimuli‐responsive polymers, including pH‐sensitive, thermosensitive, and mucoadhesive systems, in optimizing drug delivery to infected or inflamed ocular tissues. These advanced platforms minimize systemic side effects, improve patient compliance, human health and enhance therapeutic outcomes. Preclinical and clinical studies support safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility of these nanotechnology‐based approaches and highlighting their potential advancement in ocular drug delivery for the management of infective conjunctivitis and broader ophthalmic applications.