Current corneal drug delivery methods often face limitations due to invasiveness, discomfort, and inconsistent drug absorption. With approximately 230 million people in the United States affected by refractive errors, there is a pressing need for a non-invasive, efficient alternative that provides consistent, targeted drug delivery to the cornea. Our study introduces a novel biolistic device designed to meet this need by using high-speed carrier gas to accelerate particles into the tissue, while eliminating exit gas propulsion to ensure that only microparticles reach the corneal tissue. This design minimizes tissue damage and enhances clinical relevance, making it particularly suitable for patients with thin corneas or those seeking alternatives to LASIK. The device was engineered to accelerate microparticles ranging from 5 to 22 μm without using exit gas, and we tested it on surrogate tissue gels, ex vivo corneas, and in vivo animal models to evaluate penetration depth, tissue impact, and healing response. The device demonstrated successful delivery of particles into both the corneal epithelium and stroma, with high-density particles reaching the deeper stromal layer. Minimal tissue damage was observed, with any epithelial defects resolving within 30 minutes. The penetration performance was comparable to previous biolistic methods, yet improved in clinical applicability due to the absence of exit gas. While this study focused on surrogate particles, future work will explore the delivery of therapeutic copper particles aimed at facilitating enzymatic crosslinking for corneal reshaping. This technique offers a promising, repeatable alternative for individuals reliant on spectacles and those underserved by existing surgical options, opening new pathways for accessible, non-invasive corneal therapeutics.
