Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma Management: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Evaluation Using Trabecular Meshwork Models

Current topical anti-glaucoma medications suffer from poor ocular bioavailability, systemic side effects, and the need for multiple daily applications that compromise patient adherence. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems offer transformative potential for improving drug penetration to the trabecular meshwork and sustaining therapeutic intraocular pressure reduction. This study develops and evaluates nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for timolol maleate and latanoprost using in vitro and ex vivo trabecular meshwork models. A laboratory experimental design will be employed at the University of Lagos Faculty of Pharmacy and Ophthalmology Research Laboratory. Polymeric nanoparticles incorporating chitosan and PLGA will be formulated using nanoprecipitation and emulsification-solvent evaporation methods. Nanoparticle characterisation will cover particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and drug release kinetics. In vitro drug permeation studies will use a bovine corneal model. Ex vivo studies will employ enucleated porcine eyes as trabecular meshwork perfusion models to evaluate aqueous humour dynamics and pressure-lowering effect. Cytotoxicity will be assessed using human trabecular meshwork cell lines. Pharmacokinetic analysis will model drug residence time and predicted IOP reduction. Nanotechnology-based ophthalmic drug delivery is a rapidly advancing field with high translational potential, yet formulation research has largely been conducted in high-income country laboratories without consideration for tropical stability, manufacturing scalability, or African patient population needs. This study generates Nigeria-based pharmaceutical sciences data contributing to the global glaucoma drug delivery literature and establishing a local research infrastructure for ophthalmic nanotechnology. Recommendations will address regulatory science pathways for novel drug delivery systems at NAFDAC and capacity building for pharmaceutical nanotechnology research at Nigerian universities. Keywords: nanotechnology, drug delivery, glaucoma, trabecular meshwork, timolol nanoparticles