Eye disease is on the rise as a result of an aging population, diabetes and prolonged use of contact lenses. This is the reason why researchers in Singapore have thought about a new method of treatment, as revealed by this study published in the journal Nature Communications at the beginning of November, relayed by the site Digital Trends this November 13.
Needles in the cornea
Their initial observation? Diseases that lead to blindness like glaucoma or macular degeneration are usually treated with eye drops. But the quantity of drug is not sufficient, not precise enough, their application not necessarily regular enough, and above all they create ocular hypertension … To answer this problem? Propose a new method, already used for vaccines.
Micro-needles. They therefore developed contact lenses composed of biodegradable micro-needles in the eye. The patches are placed on the patient directly on the eye, then removed, the needles are implanted in the cornea and diffuse the treatment. The advantage? A two-step application. The outer part of the needle diffuses the first dose of medication, and the second, deeper part spreads the second dose of medication for several days.
More effective than drops
The micro needles easily penetrate the eye tissue with gentle pressure. They serve as small reservoirs of medication, rather than adding a small dose via drops each day. So far, the patches have been tested on mice, and the results show much more effectiveness than the drops.
That said, the lenses will not be marketed until a clinical trial has not yet started. In the meantime, researchers are improving the composition of the lenses, in particular to make them less rigid and more comfortable.
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