Finding efficient methods for drug delivery to the eye remains a significant challenge for vision scientists 鈥� and one 蓝莓视频 researchers at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) are undertaking in real time.
Under the leadership of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Dr. Lyndon Jones, researchers at Hong Kong鈥檚 Centre for Eye and Vision Research are working hard to answer the age-old question: how can we create effective, non-invasive drug solutions for our eyes?
Improving drug delivery to the front of the eye
Because of the tear drainage system, our eyes are naturally adept at removing foreign substances, making eye drops notoriously inefficient, says Dr. Chau-Minh Phan, a lead researcher for CEVR鈥檚 drug delivery platform.
鈥淎fter application, they drain away from the ocular surface quickly. They can overspill. And a large proportion of the drop is absorbed into surrounding blood vessels, steering the medicine away from the front of the eye, where you want it to be most active,鈥� says Phan. Estimates say that a person will only absorb about 5% of the medicinal properties from eye drops currently on the market.
From 3D printing to light-activated materials, researchers at CEVR are on the cusp of developing a range of technologies that will enable drug delivery in a time-controlled manner using ocular inserts and contact lenses. Instead of applying multiple drops a day, patients would simply apply an insert at the base of their eye or wear a drug-releasing contact lens for up to a week.
鈥淲hen your sight is on the line, you want to know you鈥檙e getting the best treatment,鈥� says Phan. 鈥淭he slow-release systems we鈥檙e building will increase treatment efficacy while also improving the patient experience," says Phan.
Replacing eye injections with laser technology
To date, delivering medication to the back of the eye has been the biggest challenge facing ophthalmologists treating eye disease. 聽
Intravitreal injections 鈥� a shot of medicine into the vitreous, a jelly-like fluid at the back of the eye 鈥� are currently the gold standard for treating posterior eye disease. Not only does this type of treatment invoke fear in many patients, but Phan says there is also serious risk of infection.
鈥淚n most cases, injections need to be repeated frequently - every three months or less for patients with diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD),鈥� says Phan. 鈥淓very time they receive a shot, a patient may experience complications鈥�.
Researchers at CEVR, including 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Professor and Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland and Professor Melanie Campbell, have zeroed in on an innovative new laser technology that would eliminate the need for AMD patients to receive on-going intravitreal injections.
The leading cause of vision loss in older adults, AMD happens when an abnormal amount of blood vessels grow and leak beneath the retina, causing blurry vision. Using this first-of-its-kind laser technology, practitioners would be able to non-invasively eliminate excess blood vessels to effectively slow the progression of the disease.
Bringing together global talent
Now a year into their work at 蓝莓视频鈥檚 hub for global vision research, Dr. Jones says creating the ocular drug delivery research program at CEVR has opened the door to work with incredible talent from all over the world.
鈥淚t's been exciting to see the extraordinary pool of talented researchers we鈥檝e been able to assemble at CEVR,鈥� says Dr. Jones. 鈥淲ith every new collaboration comes new ideas and skills and the opportunity to change the way we鈥檙e delivering treatment to millions of patients for the better.鈥澛犅�
