Fatty Acids for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases and Ocular Drug Delivery

Abstract The intricate anatomical and physiological barriers of the eye severely limit the bioavailability of conventional topical therapies, necessitating innovative strategies. In this review, fatty acids are presented as versatile agents functioning in two distinct roles. As bioactive lipids, specific fatty acids exert disease-modifying effects, offering novel pharmacological interventions for ocular surface and posterior segment disorders, including dry eye syndrome, uveitis, and retinal degeneration. Concurrently, beyond their biological activity, fatty acids serve as structural components in formulation design; their physicochemical properties, particularly varying chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation, enable the construction of advanced ocular drug delivery systems with substantially enhanced ocular bioavailability. Crucially, this review not only summarizes the translational prospects of fatty acid-based therapeutics but also highlights the structure−activity relationships governing the in vivo performance of fatty acid-integrated delivery systems. By delineating these dual functionalities, we provide a clear framework for distinguishing nutritional or pharmacological supplementation from excipient or carrier design, thereby facilitating the rational development of next-generation ophthalmic formulations.