Which statement best describes the ocular route for drug delivery?

Which statement best describes the ocular route for drug delivery?

• A. It is used to treat eye disorders with local effects.
• B. It is used primarily for systemic effects.
• C. It requires oral ingestion.
• D. It is primarily used for inhalation therapy.

Answer: (B)

The ocular route is used to deliver drugs directly to the eye to achieve local effects on ocular tissues. Treatments like eye drops and ointments are formulated to treat eye conditions—such as infections, inflammation, or glaucoma—while minimizing systemic exposure. Some drug can enter the systemic circulation through tear drainage and mucosal absorption, but this is incidental and unreliable, so systemic therapy is not the primary purpose of ocular delivery. In contrast, oral ingestion and inhalation deliver drugs systemically or to the lungs, not to the eye.

The ocular route is used to deliver drugs directly to the eye to achieve local effects on ocular tissues. Treatments like eye drops and ointments are formulated to treat eye conditions—such as infections, inflammation, or glaucoma—while minimizing systemic exposure. Some drug can enter the systemic circulation through tear drainage and mucosal absorption, but this is incidental and unreliable, so systemic therapy is not the primary purpose of ocular delivery. In contrast, oral ingestion and inhalation deliver drugs systemically or to the lungs, not to the eye.