11. Conclusions

The topical route, applied to the surface of the eye, is still the most widely used, due to its ease of administration and interest in superficial disorders of the anterior segment of the eye. The intra-ocular route, which has come into use much more recently, is much less widely used because of the potential risks involved. However, it is an effective treatment for deep-seated disorders in the posterior segment of the eye.

There is no universal ophthalmic dosage form for all ocular pathologies. Ophthalmic solutions are still the most widely used dosage form, due to their ease of use and the fact that they are manufactured using processes commonly found in the pharmaceutical industry. The main development has been to take better account of ocular tolerance. The production of preservative-free single-dose eye drops is the best example of this. Its main drawback,...