The basic science part of this article focuses on the anatomic barriers to the five major modes of ocular drug delivery: intraocular, periocular, hybrid, topical, and systemic. The second half is a review of the clinical and regulatory components of translational science

Objective—To characterize clinical and clinicopathologic findings, response to treatment, and causes of systemic hypertension in cats with hypertensive retinopathy. Design—Retrospective study. Animals—69 cats with hypertensive retinopathy. Procedure—Medical records from cats with systemic hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy were reviewed. Results—Most cats (68.1%) were referred because of vision loss; retinal detachment, hemorrhage, edema, and degeneration were common findings. Cardiac abnormalities were detected in 37 cats, and neurologic signs were detected in 20 cats. Hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (n = 22), hyperthyroidism (5), diabetes mellitus (2), and hyperaldosteronism (1). A clearly identifiable cause for hypertension was not detected in 38 cats; 26 of these cats had mild azotemia, and 12 did not have renal abnormalities. Amlodipine decreased blood pressure in 31 of 32 cats and improved ocular signs in 18 of 26 cats. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Retinal lesions, caused predominantly by choroidal injury, are common in cats with hypertension. Primary hypertension in cats may be more common than currently recognized. Hypertension should be considered in older cats with acute onset of blindness; retinal edema, hemorrhage, or detachment; cardiac disease; or neurologic abnormalities. Cats with hypertensioninduced ocular disease should be evaluated for renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac abnormalities. Blood pressure measurements and funduscopic evaluations should be performed routinely in cats at risk for hypertension (preexisting renal disease, hyperthyroidism, and age > 10 years). Amlodipine is an effective antihypertensive agent in cats.(J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:695–702)

Purpose.: To evaluate the effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administered into the suprachoroidal space (SCS) using a microneedle and compare it with intravitreal (IVT) TA injections in a porcine model of acute posterior segment inflammation. Materials.: An IVT injection of balanced salt solution (BSS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was followed 24 hours later with an injection of 0.2 mg or 2.0 mg of TA into the SCS or IVT. The SCS was accessed using microneedles in a minimally invasive procedure. Ocular inflammatory scores and IOP measurements were collected daily, whereas electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, and wide-field ocular fundus photography was performed on −1, 0, and 3 days after treatment. Aqueous and vitreous humor cell counts and protein levels and histopathology were also compared. Results.: Delivery of TA to the SCS using microneedles was simple, effective, and not associated with adverse effects or toxicity. SCS injection of low (0.2 mg) and high doses (2.0 mg) of TA was as effective in reducing acute inflammation in the ocular posterior segment as high-dose IVT injection. Low-dose SCS TA was also effective in reducing inflammation; however, low-dose IVT TA was not. Conclusions.: Results from this study suggest that 0.2 mg and 2.0 mg of SCS TA was as effective in reducing inflammation as 2.0 mg IVT TA injection in a model of acute posterior segment inflammation. There were no adverse effects, increased IOP, or evidence of procedural or drug toxicity following injection of TA into the SCS in porcine eyes.