Author: Joel Harrison
Posted: 25 May 2010 20:19
A report presented at the 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in San Francisco states that vitamin E may be helpful in extending the release of drugs used for the treatment of glaucoma.
The disease is usually treated with eye drops that decrease the abnormally high intraocular pressure that gradually damages the optic nerve, which may eventually lead to permanent blindness. However, it is estimated that only 1 to 5% of medicines contained in eye drops reach the cornea of the eye. The new approach, scientists claim, will increase the time of the presence of the drugs in the eye by as much as 100 times.
Here, vitamin E acts as a kind of barrier for drugs, thus extending their release time and enhancing their effectiveness. Scientists are also examining how vitamin E may facilitate the treatment and prevention of other ophthalmic conditions. The technology is to be used in both daily contact lenses and extended wear lenses (up to a month). Clinical trials are to begin in one to two years.
