NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY: EYE DROPS FOR RETINAL DISEASE
BMC Seminar Thursday 3 December, 12:00
Speaker: Einar Stefánsson, Professor at Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland and Ophthalmology, Landspitali.
Title: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY: EYE DROPS FOR RETINAL DISEASE
Abstract: Using topical application to deliver therapeutic concentrations of drugs to the interior of the eye, particularly to the posterior segment, remains very challenging. As a result, posterior segment diseases are usually treated by the intravitreal route, and where topical treatments are used for anterior segment conditions, frequent application is required. We developed eye drops based on γ-cyclodextrin (γCD)-based nanoparticle aggregates, which were demonstrated in animal models to deliver therapeutic concentrations of drugs (dorzolamide and dexamethasone) to both the anterior and posterior segments. An early study in humans showed dorzolamide/γCD eye drops could achieve comparable intraocular pressure decreases to commercial dorzolamide eye drops, but with less frequent application. Pilot studies with dexamethasone/γCD eye drops suggested that they could be effective in a range of conditions, including diabetic macular edema, macular edema and vitritis secondary to uveitis, post-cataract surgery inflammation, and post-operative treatment in trabeculectomy. Phase II studies with a similar topical formulation of dexamethasone/γCD in diabetic macular edema and post-cataract surgery inflammation have recently been completed. This technology has the potential to be used with other drug types, and to replace or complement invasive treatments, providing safer, less expensive therapies, particularly for posterior segment conditions, that can be self-administered by patients.
Zoom link: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/64126331154?pwd=Ynl6T3JZc1p2VnhydURvRXY5cUtnQT09
Einar Stefánsson, Professor at Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland and Ophthalmology, Landspitali.
