Controlled release strategy designed for intravitreal protein delivery to the retina.

Therapeutic protein delivery directly to the eye is a promising strategy to treat retinal degeneration; yet, the high risks of local drug overdose and cataracts associated with bolus injection have limited progress, requiring the development of sustained protein delivery strategies. Since the vitreous humor itself is a gel, hydrogel-based release systems are a sensible solution for sustained intravitreal protein delivery. Using ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) as a model protein for ocular treatment, we investigated the use of an intravitreal, affinity-based release system for protein delivery.