by: Lynda Charters
Melissa Barnett, OD, from the University of California, Davis Eye Center, Sacramento and Davis, CA, described new strategies, technologies, and drug classes to treat chronic conditions that include myopia, Demodex infestation, meibomian gland dysfunction, glaucoma drug delivery, advancements in corneal and cataract surgeries, and presbyopia
Myopia
Currently, a record-breaking number of myopia cases are being diagnosed, and patients have several different treatment options to choose from that include spectacle multifocals, contact lens multifocals, MiSight soft lenses (CooperVision), and Ortho-K lenses (Euclid).
Atropine drops and atropine derivatives are another approach being tested that work by reducing the progression of myopia.
Demodex
This ectoparasite, the most common one in humans, has a prevalence rate of 100% in patients 70 years and older. The current treatment—tea tree oil at a concentration of 100%—has the most rapid kill time compared to all other treatments that include 100% caraway oil, 100% alcohol, 10% povidone-iodine, and 4% pilocarpine. The most common side effects associated with tea tree oil are burning and stinging. The oil also is associated with the risk of corneal damage.
Topical and oral ivermectin also can be used to treat Desmodex. The topical form in conjunction with daily eyelid scrubs was more effective than lid hygiene alone.
Meibomian gland dysfunction
This is associated with most cases of dry eye. The current treatments are meibomian gland obstruction, anti-inflammatories, and mechanical devices.
Two drugs, minocycline (Meizuvo, Hovione) showed a positive clinical effect in almost three-quarters of clinical trial patients and perfluorohexyloctane (NOV03, Novaliq) prevented excessive tear evaporation and helps restore tear film balance.
Glaucoma
Microdose latanoprost (Eyenovia) is currently under evaluation in a phase 2 trial. Using the microdose design, substantial intraocular pressure reductions were observed as with conventional drops; however, the big advantage is that this approach is associated with a 75% reduction in drugs and preservatives, which cause toxicity of the ocular surface.
Punctal plug delivery systems deliver both latanoprost (Evolute, Mati Therapeutics)and travoprost (OTX-TP, Ocular Therapeutix) and are promising for glaucoma and ocular hypertension and are minimally invasive.
An intracanalicular insert is bioresorbable and provides sustained-release of preservative-free travoprost.
Bimatoprost SR (Durysta, Allergan) is an FDA-approved 10-microgram bimatoprost sustained-release implant for patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
The travoprost intraocular implant (iDose, Glaukos) is positioned in the anterior chamber and anchored behind the trabecular meshwork. The 36-month data showed superior IOP-lowering capability in higher percentages of patients compared with timolol.
Travoprost intracameral implant (OTX-TIC, Ocular Therapeutix) is a bioresorbable sustained-release implant injected into the anterior chamber.It currently is in a phase 1 prospective clinical trial.
Omidenepag Isopropyl (Eybelis, OMDI), is a new topical glaucoma medication that is a selective, non-prostaglandin, prostanoid EP2 receptor, that has the advantage of no prostaglandin side effects. The drug is currently in the phase 3 AYAME Study.
Read more: https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/eye-care-therapies-on-the-move-what-s-in-the-pipeline