Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40562965›Full record

ReviewDrug delivery and translational research2026

Mucoadhesive nanofibers for ocular drug delivery: mechanisms, design strategies, and applications.

Nimeet Desai, Helen E Colley, Yamini Krishna, Lucy A Bosworth, Victoria R Kearns

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Drug delivery and translational research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Nimeet DesaiDepartment of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3575-6671
Helen E ColleySchool of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0053-7468
Yamini KrishnaDepartment of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5067-3682
Lucy A BosworthDepartment of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6726-4663
Victoria R KearnsDepartment of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK. Vkearns@liverpool.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1426-6048

Funding

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/X525741/1Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council EP/Y001656/1Medical Research Council MR/W006944/1Medical Research Council MR/X502765/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Delivering drugs effectively to the ocular surface is challenging due to rapid clearance mechanisms, including blinking, tear turnover, and protective barriers of the conjunctival and corneal epithelium. As a result, conventional options such as eye drops often fail to provide sustained therapeutic effects and require frequent dosing, leading to reduced patient compliance. Mucoadhesive nanofiber systems offer a promising solution by enhancing drug retention and enabling controlled release at the ocular surface. These nanofibers, produced primarily through electrospinning, provide a high surface area, tunable mechanical properties, and compatibility with mucoadhesive polymers, collectively improving drug bioavailability, extending residence times, and minimizing systemic side effects. This review comprehensively explores the fundamentals of mucoadhesion, including the structural and compositional characteristics of ocular mucosal surfaces and the molecular interactions essential for optimized drug delivery. It examines advanced strategies for incorporating mucoadhesive features into nanofibers, such as polymer blending, surface modification, and molecular imprinting, and assesses their influence on therapeutic outcomes. Finally, recent advancements and their potential for clinical translation are discussed. By presenting a thorough analysis of current techniques and emerging innovations, this review aims to guide researchers in developing next-generation mucoadhesive nanofiber platforms that improve therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance in ocular drug delivery.

Indexed as

Drug Delivery SystemsNanofibersOphthalmic SolutionsAdhesivenessAdministration, OphthalmicAnimalsHumansPolymersOphthalmic SolutionsPolymersElectrospinningMucoadhesionMucosaNanofibersOcular drug deliveryOcular surface

Identifiers

PMID40562965
PMCPMC12956969

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.