Contact lens effectively delivers Glaucoma medication

Ocular medications for glaucoma are said to be associated with poor patient compliance due to the current eye-drop delivery syst, which can cause stinging or burning sensations and can be difficult to self-administer. Some studies suggest compliance is as low as 50 per cent. A team of researchers say they have developed a new delivery syst that could help address this issue.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: If we can address the probl of compliance, we may help patients adhere to the therapy necessary to maintain vision in diseases like glaucoma, saving millions from preventable blindness. -WHO:Dr Joseph Ciolino, Lead author and Massachusetts Eye and Ear ophthalmologist}}A study published in the online journal Ophthalmology indicated that a novel contact lens-based syst, which uses a strategically placed drug polymer film to gradually deliver medication to the eye, was at least as effective – if not more effective – as daily latanoprost eye drops in a pre-clinical model for glaucoma.The effect of the drug-eluting contact lens was assessed in four glaucomatous monkeys. The researchers showed that the contact lens with lower doses of latanoprost delivered the same amount of eye pressure reduction as the eye-drop version of the medication. The lenses delivering higher doses of latanoprost had better pressure reduction than the drops.It was said further study was still needed to confirm the finding in the higher dose lenses.Lead author and Massachusetts Eye and Ear ophthalmologist Dr Joseph Ciolino said, “Based on our preliminary data, the lenses have not only the potential to improve compliance for patients, but also the potential of providing better pressure reduction than the drops.”If we can address the probl of compliance, we may help patients adhere to the therapy necessary to maintain vision in diseases like glaucoma, saving millions from preventable blindness. This study also raises the possibility that we may have an option for glaucoma that’s more effective than what we have today.”The researchers are currently designing clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of the lenses for human use.